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.

A worker installing solar panels on a roof

Opinion: Virginia is making strides on clean energy – even as it falls behind

Despite the Virginia Clean Economy's path to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2025, utilities are importing more fossil fuel electricity from other states.

A machine moving dirt and tearing down trees in a forest

In Brazil, regenerative farming advances, but deforestation still pressures ecosystems

Brazil’s agribusiness drives growth but causes most deforestation; regenerative farming may help, yet weak governance risks continued ecosystem loss.

A bright red flower with green leaves against a brown soil background

Can evolution keep up with climate change? A flower offers hope

The scarlet monkeyflower's ability to keep pace with a punishing drought signals some plants can adapt quickly to climate extremes.

A worker inspecting a solar panel

Alabama House committee considers bills targeting solar farms

One bill the committee approved allows county commissions to regulate solar farms while another stops new solar farm construction for a year.
A fire-damaged house

Is your state becoming uninsurable? We have the latest data

Home insurance is buckling under climate risk and construction trends. Find out how your state fares.
Solar panels & wind turbines against setting sun

U.S. Interior Department bends on solar, but wind energy on public lands remains stalled

Most of the wind farms under consideration by the Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management are no longer in the permitting pipeline.

Two wooden chairs next to a field that has a solar shade panel over it

How Ann Arbor, Michigan, is creating its own clean energy utility

Investor-owned utilities have been slow to ditch oil and gas. The city of Ann Arbor plans to boost access to renewables through a new dual-service model.
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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