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.

Piping infrastructure leading to a geothermal energy pant
Credit: joegough/BigStock Photo ID: 11999561

Geothermal energy gets boost from new coalition of Western governors

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah are joining forces to accelerate deployment of clean, around-the-clock geothermal energy in the region.
Offshore oil drilling platform

Trump’s offshore oil drilling plan threatens military readiness, generals say

A draft proposal would allow for drilling off the California and Florida coasts, including two of the largest areas used for ocean-based military training.
Oil and gas export terminal tanker at dock and multiple storage tanks adjacent to a large waterbody

Oil markets nearing ‘red zone’ as Iran crisis continues, warns IEA chief

Surging demand, low reserves and reduced Middle East exports are predicted to cause a global energy crunch by August.

Coal power as exemplified by twin smokestacks emitting pollutants

Climate denier group pushes states to embrace coal power for data centers

The Heartland Institute used the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 2025 annual meeting to spread climate disinformation and tout coal to power AI.
 Solar panels, wind turbines and nuclear power plant cooling towers
Credit: jaroslavav/BigStock Photo ID: 83377346

Ohio needs power for its data centers. Lawmakers want to redefine ‘clean energy’ to get it

Ohio lawmakers are redefining clean energy to include natural gas to support data center growth, effectively banning solar and wind.
Two oilfield workers working on drilling equipment

70-foot wastewater geyser reflects New Mexico’s latest oilfield challenge

It’s a towering example of the contentious debate over what to do with the state’s ever-growing supply of oilfield waste.
Wheat harvest in process. Wheat combine filling a truck and unharvested wheat in the foreground.

Kansas wheat crop could be worst since 1972 because of weather extremes

Amid a punishing drought, tariffs and the high cost of fertilizers, farming wheat has become more uncertain as farmers in western Kansas are feeling the impact in their major wheat-producing region.
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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