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.

Donald Trump (left) and Kamala Harris (right) on a split screen

2024 election: Two radically different visions for environment, health

Americans’ choice will have immediate and lasting effects on our planet. Here’s how.

Buckle up, folks: As Americans head to the polls to choose the next president of the United States, the outcome will have acute impacts on our health, as well as our air, water, food and soil.

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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.
Polling station sign

A Trump win could shift US climate court battles

If Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, his administration is likely to reshape climate-related court cases, halting support for EPA climate regulations and potentially reversing Biden-era policies.

Karen Zraick reports for The New York Times.

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tree in a cracked glass case

The world may miss the 1.5-degree climate target. How can we prevent catastrophic impacts?

The United Nations warns that global plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions fall far short, putting the planet on track for a 3-degree Celsius rise, well above the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target.

Jenni Doering reports for Living on Earth.

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Hundred dollar bill in background with fossil fuel infrastructure shadows in front of it
Credit: Skorzewiak/BigStock Photo ID: 430802135

Political donations shape the power dynamics of state utility commissions

Utility commissioners in several states are benefiting from campaign contributions tied to the very industries they regulate, raising concerns about conflicts of interest that could shape energy policy and slow the clean energy transition.

Mario Alejandro Ariza, Miranda Green and Pam Radtke report for Floodlight.

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amazon deforestation climate election brazil
Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Brazilian state rolls back key environmental law curbing Amazon deforestation

A new law in Brazil's Mato Grosso state undermines a long-standing agreement to reduce Amazon deforestation by allowing tax incentives for soy produced in legally cleared areas, even in forests.

Fabiano Maisonnave reports for The Associated Press.

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wildflowers in a field

Conservation groups sue to stop Nevada lithium mine over risks to rare wildflower

Conservationists and Native American advocates are challenging a lithium mine in Nevada, claiming it threatens the only known habitat of an endangered wildflower, Tiehm’s buckwheat, as well as culturally significant lands.

Scott Sonner reports for The Associated Press.

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Vanguard website

Major financial firms steer millions in hidden funds to climate denial causes

Since 2020, financial giants Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard have funneled more than $171 million through anonymous donor-advised funds (DAFs) to climate denial nonprofits aligned with Project 2025.

Joe Fassler reports for DeSmog.

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From our Newsroom
Residents from Pennsylvania's Mon Valley region listen to local and national candidates speak about environmental issues

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

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

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.

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