Publication Items

Dam Safety Issues at Forefront Following Hurricane Flooding

The threat of failing dams can prompt worries over lost lives and property, as witness hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. But dam failure is a problem environmental journalists can get ahead of, and the latest TipSheet helps you get ready — with questions to ask, sources to pursue and resources to bone up on. Plus, more hurricane coverage resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Natural Resources
Water & Oceans
Region:
National (U.S.)
California
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN)
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)
Central America & the Caribbean
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Dam Safety Issues at Forefront Following Hurricane Flooding
As Power Goes Out, Time To Design a More Resilient Grid?

Hurricane Irma left millions of Floridians in the dark, while Maria stripped Puerto Ricans of power, potentially for months. Can the electric grid be made less vulnerable? Our Backgrounder has a dozen-plus angles to jump-start your power reporting, from stronger poles to microgrids. Plus, hurricane coverage resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Energy & Fuel
Nuclear Power & Radiation
Planning & Growth
Technology
Region:
National (U.S.)
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY)
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT)
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN)
Canada
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about As Power Goes Out, Time To Design a More Resilient Grid?
Is There a Post-Flood “Toxic Stew” Near You?

Flooding disasters can unleash some nasty substances into the environment, whether from Superfund sites, sewage plants or petrochemical and other industrial facilities handling toxic and hazardous materials.This week's TipSheet identifies some of the biggest risks, and offers starting points for your local reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals
Disasters
Energy & Fuel
Environmental Health
Health
Journalism & Media
People & Population
Pollution
Region:
National (U.S.)
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Is There a Post-Flood “Toxic Stew” Near You?
Between the Lines: On ‘Writing the Book You Can’t Not Write’

The latest 'Between the Lines' features an interview with environment reporter Meera Subramanian about her debut book, “A River Runs Again: India’s Natural World in Crisis.” Her approach to a challenging topic, her faith in the power of stories, her search for a new model of development and her advice for other writers.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Health
Journalism & Media
Natural Resources
People & Population
Planning & Growth
Policy
Pollution
Water & Oceans
Region:
International
Asia
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Between the Lines: On ‘Writing the Book You Can’t Not Write’
As Hurricanes Strike, Surge Coverage Can Save Lives

A hurricane's storm surge is an unpredictable and fast-moving killer, a phenomenon reporters must prepare to cover before it hits. This week's TipSheet explains how, with background on the complex factors that lead to storm surge, and resources to help you report on this very real risk in real time.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Journalism & Media
Planning & Growth
Water & Oceans
Region:
National (U.S.)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about As Hurricanes Strike, Surge Coverage Can Save Lives
Hurricane Toolbox, Headlines and More

Check out our guide to reporting on hurricanes like Irma, Harvey and Maria, and their aftermath. We've compiled a series of resources, including a hurricane Toolbox and Backgrounders (including one on the power grid, post-outages), as well as TipSheets on hurricanes, flooding, flood insurance, storm surge, toxic floodwaters, dam failures and more. Plus, get the latest hurricane headlines from EJ Today (subscribe).

SEJ Publication Types:
SEJournal Online
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change
Disasters
Journalism & Media
Region:
National (U.S.)
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN)
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Hurricane Toolbox, Headlines and More
EPA Press Office Attacks Journalists à la Trump

The Trump Administration's EPA Press Office appears to have launched a personal attack on journalists for unfavorable coverage. WatchDog reports what happened when the Associated Press looked into possible pollution at Houston Superfund sites flooded by Hurricane Harvey.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals
Disasters
Environmental Health
Environmental Politics
Government
Health
Journalism & Media
Pollution
Region:
National (U.S.)
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about EPA Press Office Attacks Journalists à la Trump
Covering Congress from Both Sides of the Beltway

The complex workings of the U.S. Congress create reporting challenges for all kinds of journalists, including environmental ones. But our latest TipSheet provides half a dozen key resources to help you get the job done better, whether from inside or outside the Beltway.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Politics
Government
Journalism & Media
Laws & Regulations
Policy
Region:
National (U.S.)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Covering Congress from Both Sides of the Beltway
Your Packing List for Reporting a Natural Disaster

By EMILY GERTZ

Earthquakes, hurricanes, chemical spills and more: Natural (and unnatural) disasters intersect frequently with the environmental beat. And reporting from the scene of a disaster means taking particular care with what gear and supplies you bring with you.

Will there be power where you're going? Safe drinking water? Open gas stations? How will you file your stories if land lines or cell phone networks aren't operating?
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Your Packing List for Reporting a Natural Disaster
Harvey Uncovers Flood Insurance Dilemma

Disaster cleanup from Hurricane Harvey is now bound up in Washington's brewing budget-related brouhaha, as Congress tries to fix the National Flood Insurance Program before authorization runs out at the end of September. The latest TipSheet explains, plus offers ideas and resources for localizing flood insurance stories.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Region:
National (U.S.)
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN)
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Harvey Uncovers Flood Insurance Dilemma

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