The Society of Environmental Journalists has honored multiple projects by Inside Climate News, from investigations to feature writing. The awards were announced last week in what SEJ describes as the biggest environmental journalism competition in the world.
“We’re thrilled that members of our staff were recognized for investigative reporting, beat reporting, explanatory reporting and feature writing,” said Vernon Loeb, Inside Climate News’ executive editor. “Of all the journalism awards, none are more important to us than those bestowed by the Society of Environmental Journalists.”
The recognition spanned each of SEJ’s four categories for professional journalism by small newsrooms. No other newsroom, large or small, had as many projects recognized this year.
“Inside Climate News does a remarkable job of connecting the dots on the devastating effects of climate change that we are all experiencing now,” the judges noted about one entry. “It’s a topic we all know about, but this ambitious, global series breaks down this massive issue into surprising connections between events in different parts of the world that create a butterfly effect that connects and affects all of us.”
The work honored this year:
- “State of Denial: How Texas’ Environmental Regulators Enable Big Oil and Other Polluters” by Dylan Baddour, Martha Pskowski, Peter Aldhous and Alejandra Martinez for Inside Climate News and The Texas Tribune. The collaboration won second place in the small-newsroom Outstanding Investigative Reporting category. Judges were impressed by the newsrooms’ “ambition and thoroughness in documenting how the major regulatory agencies of Texas sidestep the law, science and accountability to allow the fossil fuel industry to make more money and avoid health and safety regulations.”
- Lee Hedgepeth’s reporting on Alabama environmental issues, with graphics from Paul Horn. The collection of stories won second place in the Outstanding Beat Reporting category for small newsrooms. “Judges were particularly impressed by the breadth of this coverage, which revealed truly shocking threats, from racism by infrastructure to the dangers of mining to surrounding areas,” judges wrote.
- “Crowding Out Cougars,” with reporting by Liza Gross and photography by Michael Kodas. The piece won second place in the small-newsroom Outstanding Feature Story category. Judges wrote, “Journalist Liza Gross and photographer Michael Kodas offer a sympathetic overview of the challenges and benefits of conserving cougars in self-sustaining populations who live near previously uninhabited human lands.”
- “Facing the Risks of Extreme Climate Shocks” by Bob Berwyn. The project won first honorable mention in the small-newsroom Outstanding Explanatory Reporting category. Judges wrote, “Expansive and in-depth reporting spanning wildfires in Australia to Greenland’s ice sheet, the series stands out for its clear and accessible writing.”
- “Essential, Exploited, at Risk” by Liza Gross and Peter Aldhous. The project was recognized as the third honorable mention in the Outstanding Beat Reporting category for small newsrooms. Judges wrote that the series, which includes stories about heat deaths and flooding affecting farmworkers, “combines deep compassion for marginalized communities with cutting edge science journalism.”
About This Story
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