7 Environmental News Sites to Inspire You for Earth Day
From time to time, an industry or subject inspires us to create a best-of list. In case you’ve missed some, you can find them here. These are environmental news sites that produce out-of-this-world coverage in a crowded arena. If you think your site should be considered, give us a holler and tell us why.
Photo by PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.
*Note: This is an updated version of a post originally published in 2021.*
On April 22, we’ll celebrate Earth Day 2024 and its theme “Planet vs Plastics.” The theme calls for “the end of plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 and an ultimate goal of building a plastic-free future for generations to come.”
To meet the 60% reduction goal, EARTHDAY.ORG aims to raise awareness of the dangers of plastics and demand more research on its health effects, rapidly phase out single-use plastics by 2030, end fast fashion and its use of vast amounts of plastic, and invest in innovative technologies and materials to build a plastic-free world.
Consumers continue to get more involved and are increasingly trying to live greener. According to a 2023 Deloitte survey, more consumers considered durability and repairability when making a purchase in 2023, and whether products are labelled as responsibly sourced or manufactured, or support biodiversity.
Nearly a third of respondents to the Deloitte survey (32%) claimed that their trust in brands would be improved if they had a transparent, accountable and socially and environmentally responsible supply chain. These changing consumer behaviors have led companies to focus more on their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and goals. And they’re reporting on them in their press releases.
But despite these changing behaviors, it may not be happening fast enough. A 2022 UN report claimed that it’s “now or never” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius – the number agreed upon in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said governments and corporations “are adding fuel to the flames by continuing to invest in climate-choking industries. Scientists warn that we are already perilously close to tipping points that could lead to cascading and irreversible climate effects.”
These seven environmental news sites work to educate and inspire readers’ inner environmental scientists during Earth Month, on Earth Day and beyond. Read on for research, news and tips to help you invest in the planet.
1. Living on Earth
Living on Earth is tailored for people who prefer listening to radio shows and podcasts over reading news articles. As “public radio’s environmental news magazine,” Living on Earth broadcasts every week across 250 public radio stations. It provides listeners with news on a range of environmental issues from climate change to environmental legislation.
You can listen to full episodes or just the segments that interest you. If you still prefer to read an article over listening, a transcript is included with every news post.
Story segments to listen to (or read) right now: Charging Up U.S. Electric Vehicle Markets, Investment Risks from Climate and Plastic Bag Bans and Pushback.
Thanks to the country's geography, the United States is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and blizzards. And climate change is only making it worse.
How can we prepare for these disasters? Learn more: https://t.co/ZZ69gkbrX9
— Living On Earth (@livingonearth) September 6, 2023
2. National Geographic | Environment
National Geographic is a longstanding leader in the field of environmental science journalism.
NatGeo always includes professional photos with its news stories, engaging readers of all ages. The publisher regularly posts content on climate change, global warming and environmental threats.
Stories to read right now: Why the 2024 hurricane season could be especially active, What climate change means for the future of coffee, cashews, and avocados and The U.S. plans to limit PFAS in drinking water. What does that really mean?
This 'Gate to Hell' has burned for decades. Will we ever shut it? 🔗
https://t.co/GneFlgmSw4— National Geographic (@NatGeo) November 17, 2023
3. NASA | Earth
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) site covers topical research on categories like land, air, climate, hazards, water, oceans and ice. It also has a news category dedicated to showing you exactly how NASA’s space explorations and Earth data benefit society.
NASA is most often a primary source because its content is credible and includes crucial data on its official expeditions and research. Stay up-to-date on some of the best environmental science research news in the world with NASA’s Earth news hub.
Stories to read right now: NASA Data Shows How Drought Changes Wildfire Recovery in the West and Early Adopters of NASA’s PACE Data to Study Air Quality, Ocean Health.
"You see lightning dancing between clouds. You look back on Earth and you know it's just this marvelously complex ecosystem that's happening every second."@LunarLoral shares her experiences watching Earth from the @Space_Station: pic.twitter.com/qfPKrBjfWd
— NASA (@NASA) April 15, 2024
4. The Energy News Network
The Energy News Network is a nonprofit news site dedicated to informing the public and policymakers about the latest developments in the transition to a clean energy system.
Divided by U.S. regions, The Energy News Network publishes environmental and energy policy news from the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast and West.
Stories to read right now: An Illinois town still considers rooftop solar an eyesore. Homeowners hope to change that; Amid progress on electric vehicles, political setbacks frustrate advocates in Maine, Connecticut; and ‘Valuable and largely overlooked’: Interest in virtual power plants grows.
Three Chicago-area community solar projects are getting a state funding boost so they can serve Black, Brown and Indigenous communities.https://t.co/YeiwEWGiwS
— Midwest Energy News (@MWenergynews) April 16, 2024
5. Grist
Grist’s goal is to “use the power of storytelling to illuminate the way toward a better world, inspire millions of people to walk that path with us, and show that the time for action is now.” It knows that climate action is urgent but also understands that doom-and-gloom headlines don’t always tell the whole story.
The nonprofit newsroom focuses on solutions to climate change and covers a range of topics that intersect with climate news and developments, including politics, race, culture and technology, among others.
Stories to read right now: 8 years into America’s e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?; The downballot races that could transform energy policy in Arizona and Nebraska; and Climate solutions, by the hundred.
The Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors contest call for submissions is now open! ✍️We’re looking for short stories envisioning the next 180 years of equitable climate progress. ❌No entry fee. 🏆Top prize is $3k and publication.
Learn more: https://t.co/EaQHYc4c4z— grist (@grist) March 28, 2024
6. Nature
Nature offers readers around the world peer-reviewed research in science and technology. The site and its journals serve scientists and the public with quick dissemination of authoritative news, results and trends affecting scientific fields.
Editors at Nature and its research journals assess tens of thousands of manuscripts each year. Less than 10% of those are selected for publication.
“Articles published in Nature and the Nature research journals have contributed to some of the world’s most notable scientific advances. From the discovery of radioactive decay, to Watson and Crick’s seminal work on DNA, to Dolly the sheep and cloning…” the site explains.
Stories to read right now: Scientists discover first algae that can fix nitrogen — thanks to a tiny cell structure; Lethal dust storms blanket Asia every spring — now AI could help predict them; and Wildlife boost in African forests certified for sustainable logging.
Hanik Humaida monitors the activity of Indonesia’s volcanoes to help protect the public https://t.co/6ciJvrMNSF
— nature (@Nature) April 15, 2024
7. ScienceDaily
ScienceDaily is a reliable source of research news featuring the latest content from research organizations, scientific journals and leading universities.
The website covers environmental science categories on plants and animals, earth and climate, and fossils and ruins. There are more than 30 subcategories under the umbrella of environment, such as oceanography and biotechnology.
Stories to read right now: Retention ponds can deliver a substantial reduction in tire particle pollution; Oceanographers uncover the vital role of mixing down of oxygen in sustaining deep sea health; and Cloud engineering could be more effective ‘painkiller’ for global warming than previously thought.
We've had bird evolution all wrong
𝘈 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦https://t.co/MoWcuRLe3G𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦: 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘴, 𝘫𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴75/𝘴𝘩𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬.𝘤𝘰𝘮 pic.twitter.com/7WeTqYt4EL
— ScienceDaily (@ScienceDaily) April 8, 2024
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Marisa is a Client Success Manager in MultiVu at Cision. She's an SEO Certified team member and expert on multichannel marketing. She’s been with Cision since 2013. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time nursing her plants and exploring nature photography on long hikes. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
