popular stories 2022

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."


Residents from Pennsylvania's Mon Valley region listen to local and national candidates speak about environmental issues
Credit: Kristina Marusic for EHN

Pennsylvania voters press local, national candidates on fracking just days before election

Environmental justice communities near fracking want more answers — less political football.

PITTSBURGH — Fracking took center stage on Wednesday night, when political candidates who will be on the ballot in Pennsylvania on Election Day answered questions about environmental justice from local environmental advocacy groups and community members.

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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.
Donald Trump speaking
Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump’s plans for rolling back climate protections signal a fossil-fueled future

With a second term in sight, Donald Trump’s environmental strategy aims to wipe out protections for air, water, and public lands while undercutting climate science and strengthening fossil fuel interests.

Coral Davenport, Christopher Flavelle and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.

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Vice president Kamala Harris

Climate advocates intensify final campaign push for Harris

Climate activists are doubling down on voter outreach efforts supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in the final days of the presidential campaign, viewing her as a pivotal figure in the fight against climate change.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

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field full of solar panels

New Mexico faces tensions between clean energy and oil interests in key House race

New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District is grappling with competing economic interests as Democrats emphasize clean energy jobs and Republicans defend oil and gas, with the race’s outcome impacting control of the U.S. House.

Josh Siegel reports for POLITICO.

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scuba diver near a coral reef
Credit: NEOM/Unsplash

Biodiversity talks stall as governments miss targets on nature protection

As negotiations continue at Cop16, experts warn that governments are falling short on critical biodiversity commitments made two years ago, risking another decade of missed goals to safeguard ecosystems.

Patrick Greenfield reports for The Guardian.

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EU Greenhouse emissions
Credit: Vicuna R/Flickr

EU sees steep drop in greenhouse emissions, but gaps remain to meet 2030 targets

A new report shows EU greenhouse emissions fell by 8% last year, marking significant progress toward climate goals but signaling the need for more aggressive action.

Ajit Niranjan reports for The Guardian.

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Space X and Starlink satellites
Credit: ANIRUDH/Unsplash

Musk’s Starlink launches spark calls from scientists for a federal review of environmental risks

A coalition of over 100 researchers is urging the federal government to halt new low-orbit satellite launches, including Musk’s Starlink, until environmental impacts are thoroughly studied.

Sarah Fortinsky reports for The Hill.

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From our Newsroom
U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report

Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.

COP16 UN biodiversity

Pollution is one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. Why is no one talking about it at COP16?

“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”

COP16 UN biodiversity

La contaminación es una de las principales amenazas de la biodiversidad. ¿Por qué nadie habla de ella en la COP16?

“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.

clean energy transition

Op-ed: Labor and environmental groups can both win in the clean energy transition. Here’s how.

Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.

environmental defenders

‘Living under this constant threat’: Environmental defenders face a mounting mental health crisis

Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.

fracking opposition

Opposing fracking cost one Colombian activist her mental health. She’s fighting to win it back.

"At some point, they will kill you and kill all of us," environmental leader Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco was told.

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