Society of Environmental Journalists

Society of Environmental Journalists is a non-profit organization that aims to advance public understanding of environmental issues through excellence in environmental journalism, as seen in the work of National Geographic, The New York Times, and BBC News. The organization was founded in 1990 by a group of journalists, including Pete Myers, who were concerned about the lack of coverage of environmental issues in the media, similar to the concerns raised by Rachel Carson in her book Silent Spring. The organization has grown to include over 1,500 members, including journalists from The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and CNN. Members of the organization have covered a wide range of environmental topics, from climate change to deforestation, and have worked with organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Wildlife Fund.

● History

The organization was established in 1990, with the goal of improving the quality and accuracy of environmental reporting, as inspired by the work of Jacques Cousteau and David Attenborough. The founding members, including Bill McKibben and Al Gore, were concerned about the lack of coverage of environmental issues in the media, and sought to create a network of journalists who could share information and resources, similar to the National Press Club and the Investigative Reporters and Editors. Over the years, the organization has grown and evolved, with the addition of new members and programs, such as the SEJ Awards and the SEJ Annual Conference, which have featured speakers such as Jane Goodall and James Hansen. The organization has also partnered with other groups, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Natural Resources Defense Council, to advance environmental journalism and promote public understanding of environmental issues, as seen in the work of The Guardian and The Economist.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the organization is to advance public understanding of environmental issues through excellence in environmental journalism, as demonstrated by the work of Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior. The organization's objectives include providing training and resources for journalists, promoting high-quality environmental reporting, and fostering a community of environmental journalists, similar to the Society of Professional Journalists and the Investigative Journalism Foundation. The organization also seeks to promote diversity and inclusion in environmental journalism, and to support journalists in their efforts to cover environmental issues, as seen in the work of Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras. Members of the organization have worked with a wide range of organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to advance environmental journalism and promote public understanding of environmental issues, as seen in the work of The New Yorker and Harper's Magazine.

● Membership_and_Chapters

The organization has over 1,500 members, including journalists from a wide range of media outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Bloomberg. Members include reporters, editors, and producers from CNN, NBC News, and PBS NewsHour, as well as freelance journalists and academics, such as Naomi Klein and Bill Moyers. The organization also has a number of chapters, including the SEJ Board of Directors and the SEJ Advisory Board, which provide leadership and guidance for the organization, similar to the American Society of News Editors and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Members of the organization have access to a range of resources, including training programs, workshops, and conferences, such as the SEJ Annual Conference and the Environmental Film Festival, which have featured speakers such as Al Jazeera and The Intercept.

● Awards_and_Recognition

The organization presents a number of awards each year, including the SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment, which recognize excellence in environmental journalism, as seen in the work of The New York Times and The Washington Post. The organization also presents the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award, which recognizes outstanding books on environmental topics, such as The Sixth Extinction and This Changes Everything. The organization's awards have been presented to a wide range of journalists and media outlets, including National Public Radio, The Guardian, and ProPublica, and have been recognized by organizations such as the Pulitzer Prize and the Peabody Award, which have also recognized the work of Sarita Echavez See and Sarah Kendzior.

● Conferences_and_Training

The organization hosts a number of conferences and training programs each year, including the SEJ Annual Conference, which features workshops, panels, and keynote speakers, such as Jane Goodall and James Hansen. The organization also offers training programs on topics such as climate change, environmental policy, and investigative reporting, which have been led by instructors such as Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Greenwald. The organization's conferences and training programs provide opportunities for journalists to network, learn about new developments in environmental journalism, and share their own experiences and expertise, similar to the Investigative Reporters and Editors and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting. Members of the organization have also participated in conferences and training programs hosted by other organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, and have worked with organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund and the Nature Conservancy.

● Publications_and_Resources

The organization publishes a number of resources, including the SEJ Journal, which features articles, news, and analysis on environmental topics, as well as the SEJ TipSheet, which provides tips and resources for environmental journalists, similar to the Columbia Journalism Review and the Nieman Reports. The organization also maintains a website, which features news, resources, and information on environmental topics, as well as a directory of environmental journalists and experts, similar to the SourceWatch and the Media Matters for America. Members of the organization have access to a range of resources, including databases, reports, and other materials, which have been provided by organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and have worked with organizations such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Natural Resources Defense Council to advance environmental journalism and promote public understanding of environmental issues, as seen in the work of The Guardian and The Economist. Category:Environmental organizations