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.

Environmental fundraising surges as Kamala Harris takes center stage

Environmental groups, facing a sluggish start to the 2024 election cycle, have seen a dramatic fundraising rebound after Vice President Kamala Harris took over the Democratic ticket from President Biden.

Timothy Cama and Adam Aton report for E&E News.

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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.

US methane emissions continue to rise despite global reduction pledges

New research reveals U.S. methane emissions from fossil fuel production are increasing, despite its leading role in a global effort to cut emissions.

Max Bearak reports for The New York Times.

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Scientists find IVF coral better survives marine heatwaves than older coral colonies
Credit: NOAA/Unsplash

Scientists find IVF coral better survives marine heatwaves than older coral colonies

Young corals bred with in vitro fertilization and planted on reefs in the Caribbean have shown a remarkable ability to survive record heatwaves, outperforming older, natural coral colonies.

Lisa S Gardiner reports for The Guardian

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California's environmental justice protections may weaken under Trump

The future of civil rights protections for California’s most vulnerable communities could be at risk if a Trump administration guts the EPA’s oversight powers.

Aaron Cantú reports for Capital & Main.

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Floods devastate countries across multiple continents as climate change intensifies
Credit: ål nik/Unsplash

Floods devastate countries across multiple continents as climate change intensifies

Extreme rainfall has recently caused deadly floods and landslides in countries across four continents, with scientists linking the worsening events to climate change and inadequate infrastructure.

Austyn Gaffney and Somini Sengupta report for The New York Times.

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Virginia Gov. Youngkin joins coalition advocating for natural gas and other energy options

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has joined a coalition of Republican governors advocating for fewer energy regulations, arguing that easing restrictions will make energy more affordable and reliable.

Charlie Paullin reports for Virginia Mercury.

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Fracking and natural gas remain central to energy debate as technology lags

Executives at the Gastech conference argued that natural gas is vital for reducing carbon emissions, despite emerging energy technologies developing more slowly than expected.

Shelby Webb reports for E&E News.

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From our Newsroom
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.”

environmental justice

LISTEN: Elijah Hutchinson on New York City’s push for climate justice

"Environmental justice itself is for the first time in the title of the climate office."

CNX Shapiro fracking

A Pennsylvania fracking company with more than 2,000 environmental violations selected for federal environmental justice funding

CNX Resources is slated to receive Justice40 dollars for self-monitoring. Health and justice advocates are outraged.

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