First Place
"The Long Burn" by Byard Duncan, Patrick Lohmann and Adria Malcolm for Source New Mexico and ProPublica
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| Screenshot of first-place story #1, Beat Reporting, Large |
Team roles:
- Byard Duncan, reporter, ProPublica
- Patrick Lohmann, reporter, Source New Mexico
- Adria Malcolm, freelance photojournalist
Story links:
- "The Federal Government Accidentally Burned Down Their Houses, Then Made It Hard To Come Home" (April 24, 2023)
- "Life in Limbo: Victims of New Mexico's Biggest Wildfire Wait for Checks From the Federal Government to Rebuild" (Sept. 28, 2023)
- "A Former Police Chief Fought To Rebuild After a New Mexico Fire. He Died Before He Could Go Home." (Dec. 8, 2023)
- "In the Scar of New Mexico's Largest Wildfire, a Legal Battle Is Brewing: What Is Victims' Suffering Worth?" (Jan. 4, 2024)
- "Record-Setting Blazes Are Growing More Common. Here's What Survivors of One Want You To Know." (Feb. 23, 2024)
Judges' comments: "Patrick Lohmann made a big commitment to covering the aftermath of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire, two prescribed burns started by the Forest Service that got out of control, and merged into the largest and most destructive conflagration in state history. To report on the struggling effort to deliver federal financial aid, he moved into a studio apartment in Las Vegas, N.M., the community most affected by the fire. He displayed an impressive determination to hold federal officials accountable for the slow, bungled effort to distribute financial aid and compassion for those struggling to rebuild their lives after losing their homes to the fire. This series had an impressive impact, including the resignation, and replacement, of the FEMA official who directed the local disaster response. In the wake of that move, FEMA announced a dramatic increase in payments to fire victims and a restructuring of the agency's disaster response in the state. The series also included a solutions-oriented piece where people who had been affected by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire shared advice for others in wildfire-prone areas."
Second Place
"Investigations Following Hurricane Ian and the Maui Fires" by Mengshin Lin, Brianna Sacks and Thomas Simonetti for The Washington Post
Team roles:
- Mengshin Lin, Photojournalist, The Washington Post
- Brianna Sacks, Reporter, The Washington Post
- Thomas Simonetti, Photojournalist, The Washington Post
Story links:
- "How Florida Let a Top Insurer Abandon Homeowners in Their Time of Greatest Need" (Aug. 4, 2023)
- "Hawaii Utility Faces Scrutiny for Not Cutting Power To Reduce Fire Risks" (Aug. 12, 2023)
- "Power Lines Likely Caused Maui's First Reported Fire, Video and Data Show" (Aug. 16, 2023)
- "What One Motel Tells Us About Survival in Post-Disaster America" (Sept. 28, 2023)
- "How 'Cherry-Picking' Policies Let One Insurer Win Big in Florida's Insurance Crisis" (Dec. 30, 2023)
Judges' comments: "Sacks focused her reporting on insurers, utilities and government agencies failing to step up to the challenges of climate change and extreme weather. Left in their wake are homeowners struggling to recover financially and emotionally from natural disasters. There was an impressive mix of deep reporting on the human toll of hurricanes and the Maui fire and investigation into Florida insurance companies and Maui utilities. One story helped spur the passage of a Florida law that makes it harder for insurance companies to overrule adjusters. Her knowledge of the beat allowed her to quickly ascertain what was going on in Hawaii, and unlike many disaster stories, Sacks followed up, returning again and again over time to a motel that was host to many displaced families in Florida. This story not only had impact but offered an emotional and nuanced look at the long-term suffering of people and communities affected."
Third Place
"Florida on the Frontlines: Max Chesnes Environmental and Climate Coverage" by Max Chesnes, Christopher O'Donnell and Jack Prator for Tampa Bay Times
Team roles:
- All stories: Max Chesnes, Environment and Climate Reporter, Tampa Bay Times
- Prison story: Christopher O'Donnell, Health Reporter, Tampa Bay Times. As the health reporter, Chris handled reporting on the health implications of PFAS contamination. He interviewed a doctor who attends to incarcerated women, PFAS researchers and health department officials about what prolonged exposure to high PFAS levels would mean for incarcerated populations at Lowell Correctional.
- Transportation emissions story: Jack Prator, Breaking Environment Reporter, Tampa Bay Times. As the breaking news environment reporter, Jack handled gathering string on past EPA regulations regarding air pollution and sent out emails to Tampa Bay area reactions after Max discovered the documents outlining Florida Department of Transportation's initial intent to accept federal money to reduce tailpipe emissions.
Story links:
- "A New Hurricane Season Is Here. In Fort Myers Beach, the Old One Never Left." (May 25, 2023)
- "In the Florida Keys, Record Ocean Temps Spark Scramble To Save Dying Corals" (July 25, 2023)
- "Florida the Only State To Turn Down Millions to Lessen Emissions, Feds Say" (Dec.16, 2023)
- "Florida Knew Prison Well Could Be Contaminated But Let Women Keep Drinking" (Feb. 28, 2024)
- "Reports of Dying Fish Flood This Florida Hotline. Here's What People Are Seeing." (April 26, 2024)
Judges' comments: "This was classic wide-ranging beat reporting in a state with an abundance of stories that needed to be told. The stories ranged from the Florida Keys, where researchers scrambled to save dying coral in warming waters, to watchdog reporting about chemical contamination in Florida prison wells. The writers backed up their field research with documents showing that prison officials knew that the water was likely to be contaminated and that inmates had requested clean water. A clickable map with well water data over time showed the extent of the pollution. Strong reporting was bolstered by strong writing — an outstanding example of environmental beat coverage. This series also had a positive impact: the story about the contaminated drinking water supply at Lowell Correctional Institution led to the well water finally being tested and to lawmakers agreeing to pay $3.5 million for a clean water pipeline for the Lowell area."
First Honorable Mention
"The Environmental Impact of the War in Ukraine" by Carolyn Beeler, Joshua Coe and Anastasia Vlasova for The World, from GBH and PRX
Team roles:
- Carolyn Beeler: Reporter
- Joshua Coe: Reporter and Photographer
- Anastasia Vlasova: Photographer
Story links:
- "The Environmental Cost of War in Ukraine" (Aug. 1, 2023)
- "A Coalition of Ukrainians Is Documenting Environmental Crimes" (Aug. 2, 2023)
- "A Ukrainian Farmer's Fields Off-Limits Due to Unexploded Ordnance" and "Mines Persist a Century Later In WWI Battlefield" (Aug. 4, 2023). Both available in one audio file here.
Judges' comments: "This series covered an important topic — the environmental damage resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine — and provided surprising insights. The suffering of people and destruction of built property in Ukraine have overshadowed the long-lasting damage to and contamination of the soil, water, air and vegetation. Reporting from a war zone, Beeler delved into these environmental war crimes. The government estimates costs of some $56 billion, as well the long-term impacts of unexploded ordinances. The audio reports that ran on The World made these stories emotional and personal."
Second Honorable Mention
"Accountability and the Clean Energy Transition in Massachusetts" by Sabrina Shankman for The Boston Globe
Story links:
- "Power Shift: In Less Than a Decade, the State's Electric Grid Must Dramatically Transform. It Won't Be Easy." (May 13, 2023)
- "Massachusetts Is Phasing Out Natural Gas. Why Is It Expanding in Douglas?" (July 26, 2023)
- "Cape Cod Residents Say No to Offshore Wind Transmission Lines Under Beaches" (Nov. 14, 2023)
- "A Victim of Early Success on Solar, Mass. Now Lags Behind" (Dec.16, 2023)
- "Activists Are Spreading Misinformation About Whale Deaths To Obstruct Clean Energy Policies, Researchers Find" (March 25, 2024)
Judges' comments: "Lots of great reporting on the clean energy transition in the entries we reviewed this year. Shankman was a standout, a graceful writer with an eye for finding fresh stories that move past lofty rhetoric to look at the challenges of moving off of fossil fuels to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. Shankman's stories examined knotty conundrums in the shift away from fossil fuels. She detailed where conflicting goals slow progress: wanting to move away from fossil fuel, but needing natural gas service to lure tax base-boosting business; and fossil fuel money pushing the false narrative that off-shore wind turbines kill whales. Another piece described the paradox of an early ramp-up in solar power maxing-out the electrical grid and leaving no room for new solar projects."
Third Honorable Mention
"Covering Southeast Asia's Climate and Environmental Challenges" by Jackson Board for Channel News Asia
Story links:
- "Revitalised Boracay Island in the Philippines Faces Next Challenge — The Return of Mass Tourism" (July 15, 2023): Story and video
- "'We Are in a Crisis Right Now' - Koh Samui Enduring Severe Water Shortages As Tourism Demand Booms" (Sept. 30, 2023): Story and video
- "How a Devastating Oil Spill Has Sparked New Fears About Southeast Asia's Gas 'Feeding Frenzy'" (Oct. 21, 2023): Story and video
- "A Land Bridge Too Far? Thailand's Revived Kra Megaproject a Divisive Issue Among Local Residents" (Jan. 30, 2024): Story and video
- "Mercury Rising: Why a Thai Community Believes It Is Being Poisoned Across the International Border" (March 3, 2024): Story and video
Judges' comments: "Roaming across southeast Asia, Board finds gripping, under-reported stories to tell in multimedia packages that include strong video and photo components. Stories include the environmental risks of a fossil fuel exploration and shipping export boom, the health threats of a lignite coal fired power plant by Thailand in Laos, the effects of tourism on islands in Thailand, and the effects of a proposed land route across the Thai Peninsula to avoid shipping through Malacca Straits. This series results from extensive field research and interviews with local residents, business owners, NGO staff, farmers and fishers."
The Society of Environmental Journalists' annual Awards for Reporting on the Environment honor the best environmental journalism in 10 categories, bringing recognition to the stories that are among the most important on the planet. Prizes are $500 for first-place winners and $250 for second-place winners in all categories. Plus, the Nina Mason Pulliam Award for the "best of the best" environmental reporting will award $10,000 to one entry selected from the first-place winners of SEJ's Awards for Reporting on the Environment. Sponsored by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, this prestigious award will be announced live on January 28 — please save the date and stay tuned for details.
SEJ's 2024 Esteemed Judges and Screeners
SEJ's 2024 Awards Committee
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