journalism

Our top 5 long reads of 2021

Check out must-read, in-depth reporting from the past year.

In a world of quick clips and soundbites, long-form journalism can be a tough sell. But some stories just deserve the space and attention.


Here are five long reads that rise to that level. Grab a coffee or tea, close your Twitter tab, and support the kind of reporting that can spark change.

1. Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking

fracking children health

In this 4-part investigative series, EHN finds western Pennsylvania families near fracking are exposed to harmful chemicals, and regulations fail to protect communities' mental, physical, and social health.

2. Why Indigenous women are risking arrest to fight Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline through Minnesota

enbridge line 3 indigenous

Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline construction is running into tribal resistance over fears of water pollution, wild rice impacts, climate change, and exploitation of Native women.

3. We’re dumping loads of retardant chemicals to fight wildfires. What does it mean for wildlife?

wildfires climate change

As western wildfires become bigger and more intense, state and federal fire agencies are using more and more aerial fire retardant, prompting concerns over fish kills, aquatic life, and water quality.

4. Pollution’s mental toll: How air, water and climate pollution shape our mental health

environmental justice

A collaboration between Environmental Health News and The Allegheny Front found alarming evidence that residents throughout the western Pennsylvania region are likely suffering changes to their brains due to pollution in the surrounding environment.

Industrial power plant with smoke stacks under blue sky.

US succeeds in erasing climate from global energy body’s priorities

Trump’s energy chief had threatened to leave the International Energy Agency if it continued to focus on climate.
An oil tank truck driving down a highway

Inside the largest deregulatory action in US history

Can the government simply decide emissions aren’t its problem?
oil refinery emitting pollution under cloudy sky.

Trump's climate health rollback likely will hit vulnerable communities the most, experts say

The Trump administration’s revocation of a scientific finding that climate change is a danger to public health is likely to affect communities of color the most.
Demonstrators hold signs calling for racial justice.

Jesse Jackson's vision for America embraced environmental justice

The civil rights leader, who died earlier this week, linked segregation, pollution, and political power.
a gas station at night.

Paris court holds historic climate trial in case against TotalEnergies

The lawsuit challenges the oil major’s expansion plans and could set a significant precedent on climate responsibilities for fossil fuel companies if successful, advocates say.
the seal of the department of justice on a wall.

He was a climate activist. One day, the FBI came knocking

As the Trump administration cracks down on climate change activism, members of environmental groups like Extinction Rebellion fear they are being targeted.
a close up of a bunch of coffee beans on a branch

Climate change threatens coffee-growing regions

Human-caused climate change is adding weeks of extreme heat to major coffee-producing countries, damaging crops and reducing yields, according to new research.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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