By Margaret Hedderman
Even some of my favourite news sources fail to cover environmental news to the extent they should. (Or, at least what I think they should. Come on, NYTimes, you can do better.) Fortunately for me (and now you), there are several wonderful environmental news publications that tell the stories other news outlets don’t.
Let’s face it: articles about the environment can be depressing, too technical/science-heavy, or difficult to relate to (though, that shouldn’t be the case.) Conservation is that rare publication that combines very good writing with some pretty heady issues. From reports on Louisiana’s land loss to a study finding countries with leading female political figures have lower CO2 emissions, Conservation offers a comprehensive blend of dire news, scientific reporting, and hopeful ideas and solutions. (There’s a fantastic article about the first indoor farm in Chicago.) And the best part? The quarterly magazine offers all its articles up for free on its website.
Not many will appreciate this, but High Country News is produced in Paonia, CO. Paonia, people. (Just Google it.) HCN is about the West. Not the “West” on CMT, but real issues and real people in the Western United States. HCN covers land and water rights, mineral and energy policies, politics (there are some wonderful articles about hunting laws and rights,) and the conflicting ideals of those who inhabit a beautiful landscape. The magazine has a wonderful series of columns called “Writers on the Range,” featuring articles from writers in some of the most remote regions of America talking about everyday life and issues.
The Ecologist
The Ecologist is geared to get you all riled up. They don’t let you forget about rhino or elephant poaching, animal testing, or how soy crops can lead to deforestation. Founded in 1970 as a British academic journal, The Ecologist was among the first environmental publications. As of 2009, it has been solely an online journal. Even though many of its topics are hard, sometimes frustrating to read, it is uncompromising and unapologizing in its presentation of current, very serious issues.
