Author Archives: knightjrnmsu

MSU J-School alum recognized for making global science accessible to the public

Sue Nichols reporting in Nepal.

By Kara Headley

While in Beijing working on a story about the new turfgrass for the 2008 Olympic soccer games, Sue Nichols needed a picture of the entire field. There was no easy way to get it.

“So I slung my camera over my shoulder and climbed up what must have been a four-story pole in 95 degree heat in Beijing,” Nichols said. “It was the only way I could get this picture that I really wanted of the whole field!”

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Scientists raise alarm over decline of invasive species in East African great lake

A fisherman carries two large Nile perch fish at Lihunda Beach in Lake Victoria on June 26, 2016. Image: Tonny Omondi

A fisherman carries two large Nile perch fish at Lihunda Beach in Lake Victoria on June 26, 2016. Image: Tonny Omondi


By Halima Abdallah
Editor’s note: Uganda-based reporter Halima Abdallah of The East African developed this story at an environmental journalism workshop led by Eric Freedman, director of MSU’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism which publishes Great Lakes Echo.
Will the commercial viability of Lake Victoria and its ecosystem be sustained? This is the question arising from re-emergence of low value native species like dagaa against dwindling stocks of high-value species like the Nile perch.

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Knight Center director discusses African perspective on environment, U.S. election

By Kevin Lavery
This story originally appeared on Current State and is republished here with permission.

The world is watching as Donald Trump prepares to become the 45th President of the United States. As he selects his team of advisors, many are waiting to see what policies will emerge under Trump’s leadership. Environmental regulation is just one issue.
A year ago, the U-S joined more than 100 nations in signing the Paris Agreement, which sets forth actions to slow the effects of climate change. Now, some analysts believe a Trump administration may be poised to withdraw U.S. participation in the agreement. Such an action could significantly roll back greenhouse gas emissions standards.
Current State talks with the chair of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University. Eric Freedman is a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist who formerly wrote for the Detroit News. He’s recently returned from an environmental journalism workshop in Kenya, an area of the world that’s keenly watching America’s next moves.
Image: Scott Pohl

Lake Berryessa: A beautiful landscape quietly suffering


Reporter Marie Orttenburger attended the “Mercury Pollution, Wildfire and Fault Line Impacts on Lake Berryessa” tour at the Society of Environmental Journalists 26th Annual Conference. This podcast is her reflection on the experience.
Transcript
I’m Marie Orttenburger. I recently traveled to Sacramento for the Society of Environmental Journalist’s 26th annual conference. Part of what’s cool about the conference is its inclusion of tours of the host location. You pick the trip most akin to your interests — based either on subject matter or how you’d like to spend your day. Continue reading