Our 5 most popular reads from 2022

A corpse, woodworking dangers, plastic titans ... revisit the stories that stuck with our readers this past year.

The totals are in — here are the five most viewed stories from our newsroom in 2022.


1. A corpse in a barrel in a drying reservoir

corpse in a barrel in a drying reservoir

Our weekend columnist Peter Dykstra is always on the lookout for the weird and wacky in the environmental realm.

With this column, he found it.

2. The hidden, potential cancer-causing, danger in woodworking and art supplies

BADGE BPA chemical

Reporter Meg Wilcox did a deep dive on a scary chemical that's common in woodworking and art supplies. Might want to check this one out before your next craft night.

3. The Titans of Plastic

petrochemical shell pennsylvania plastic

In collaboration with the excellent Sierra Magazine, reporter Kristina Marusic gives readers a clear-eyed look at the multi-faceted impacts of plastics production.

4. For clean beauty brands, getting PFAS out of makeup might be easier said than done

PFAS in makeup

We spent a good part of the beginning of 2022 examining PFAS chemicals in everyday products. This investigation into makeup caught the eye of readers.

5. Chemicals in everyday products are spurring obesity, warns a new review

chemicals obesity

Our weight depends on more than diet and exercise. Reporter Grace van Deelen reported on the latest research examining a concerning class of chemicals called "obesogens."


Hurricane Helene post-landfall impacts
Credit: Georgia National Guard/Flickr

Massive storm Helene poses catastrophic risks across the Southeast

Hurricane Helene has already left Florida's coast battered with flooding and power outages, but the worst is yet to come with catastrophic storm surge and historic flooding predicted.

Jason Samenow, Matthew Cappucci, Dan Stillman and Ian Livingston report for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Southern California faces a growing wildfire threat but remains unprepared

Southern California continues to experience devastating wildfires, but residents remain surprisingly unprepared despite living in one of the nation's most disaster-prone regions.

Conor Friedersdorf reports for The Atlantic.

Keep reading...Show less
Urban green space
Credit: Eric Allix Rogers/Flickr

Chicago’s Latino neighborhoods fight for more parks to combat climate change

In Chicago’s Latino-majority neighborhoods like Brighton Park, residents are demanding more green space to combat air pollution, extreme heat and a lack of safe, outdoor community areas.

Aydali Campa reports for Borderless Magazine, Cicero Independiente and Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less

Fossil fuel lobbyists helped push anti-protest laws nationwide

Fossil fuel companies and lawmakers collaborated across multiple states to pass laws imposing harsher penalties for peaceful protests, aiming to deter climate activists.

Hilary Beaumont and Nina Lakhani report for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
EPA Environmental Justice
Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr

Why Michael Regan backed down on environmental justice promises

Despite a promising start, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency head Michael Regan has faced setbacks in tackling environmental racism due to political and legal pressures.

Vann R. Newkirk II reports for The Atlantic.

Keep reading...Show less
EU environmental violations
Credit: Andreas/Unsplash

EU avoids enforcing fines despite numerous environmental violations by member states

The European Commission has failed to impose penalties on countries for more than 40 court-ruled breaches of EU law, most concerning environmental protections, leaving violations unresolved for decades.

Pascal Hansens, Harald Schumann and Maxence Pegné Investigate Europe.

Keep reading...Show less

Young voters question Kamala Harris' climate stance as election nears

The initial enthusiasm for Kamala Harris among young climate voters is fading as many now call for more aggressive climate policies, particularly on fracking and fossil fuels.

Keerti Gopal reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
environmental justice

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

climate week NYC

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

fracking pennsylvania cancer

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

homelessness climate change

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.