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.

Damaged houses along a beach

Major hurricanes in the Northeast are rare. Could climate change make them common?

A Category 4 hurricane making direct landfall on New York City could cause as much as $500 billion in insured damage.
A couple of warehouses viewed from above

California will soon have more than 300 data centers. Where will they get their water?

Satisfying the thirst of 24 more facilities expected to open in the state will be challenging, experts and officials say.

A view of water and ships at sunset with a wind turbine in the background

Washington’s latest emissions report shows small decline

Officials see progress, but critics say the state is not on course to hit a pollution reduction target in 2030.

A soccer player balancing a soccer ball on the top of his foot

Extreme heat could impact the World Cup games. Here's what cities are doing to prepare

As global temperatures rise, extreme heat could threaten athletes, fans, workers and officials during this year’s World Cup games.

Dump trucks and mining equipment at the bottom of a mining pit

Critical minerals are ‘oil of 21st century’ as demand fuels poverty and pollution in poorer countries

The rush for lithium, cobalt, and nickel is ravaging livelihoods, water, and health of the world’s most vulnerable, a United Nations study says.

A group of hospital staff and administrators discussing something in a hallway

Parrish Medical Center earns gold sustainability award in Titusville

Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Florida earned a gold environmental award after reducing medical waste and carbon emissions.

A table with medical supplies on it

Turning compliance into a catalyst for healthcare sustainability

With hospitals generating an average of 29 pounds of waste per bed each day, how that waste is managed carries serious environmental, operational, and public health implications.

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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