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.

Beach umbrellas with yellow and white stripes against a blue sky

Heat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warn

People succumbed to heat at highest rates in Malta, Italy, and Hungary, with health issues, loneliness, and poverty exacerbating toll.

A view of a sidewalk in a neighborhood with trees lining the street

The hidden history of how Big Oil invented the American Dream

From the family car to the dream kitchen, fossil fuel companies sold a way of life that depended on their products. New evidence shows how they did it.
Two construction workers looking up at scaffolding on a new build

Oil and tech money back measure to limit California environmental law

Proposition 45 would ease development of a wide range of projects, including some fossil-fuel facilities and possibly AI data centers.
A view of a bamboo forest

The case for low-carbon bamboo fuel starts at $2.75 a gallon

The fastest-growing plant on Earth can be turned into biocrude with almost no waste. A new study finds it emits 26 times less carbon than petroleum diesel.
A view of dark storm clouds with blue skies in the background

In Honduras, hard hit by drought, authorities hope to make it rain using contentious tactic

Global warming is making the El Niño weather pattern stronger, and that’s prolonging a devastating drought across a region of Central America known as the Dry Corridor.
A woman with an umbrella looking out over a city street at night

This year’s powerful El Niño may preview California’s climate future

Researchers warn that this winter’s El Niño impacts could be a window into the future, with higher seas and more intense storms.
A view of a miniature living room with doll-sized furniture

Where fossil fuels are lurking in your home — room by room

Tour our miniature dream house to see how oil and gas became part of everyday products.
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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