The CO2 Foundation is proud to support Climate Lab, the Seattle Times’ multi-year initiative on the climate crisis. Funded largely by philanthropic support, the Climate Lab team team – one of the largest regional news teams in the country dedicated to this coverage – delivers journalism that empowers, educates and inspires change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond to confront climate change.
Climate Lab aims to address the continuing gap between public knowledge and action that’s needed to address the climate crisis. Through powerful storytelling that examines climate challenges, and the people, policies and innovations that are mitigating them, the project is increasing public and policymaker knowledge, awareness and engagement.
Here are a few of our favorite extreme weather and carbon removal stories from 2025 thus far:
- What a wild weather year! We start the new one with a bit of good news – January 2, 2025
- Why more frequent cold blasts could be coming from global warming – January 7, 2025
- Canceling class for extreme heat? WA Legislature considers climate bills this session – January 13, 2025
- WA is a hotbed for carbon capture research. What is it anyway? – January 13, 2025
- WA firefighters face ‘otherworldly’ conditions as they battle Los Angeles blazes – January 19, 2025
- Warmth is weakening the polar vortex. Here’s what it means for extreme cold – Jan. 30, 2025
The steady stream of thematically diverse stories that this team produces is frequently enhanced with photography, video, interactive maps and graphics. This work reaches and influences stakeholders across the state: stories have been published on news sites in Washington (Spokesman Review, Columbian, Bellingham Herald, Wenatchee World, Yakima Herald-Republic, Walla Walla Union Bulletin, Longview News Journal, etc.), and around the country. Climate Lab stories have also been reprinted in The Miami Herald, The Fort Worth Star Telegram, the News & Observer, New Hampshire Union Leader, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Fresno Bee, The Mercury News, Oakland Press, Saving Seafood and many more. In one example alone, the in-depth Forest Feud (https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/was-fight-over-the-old-growth-forests-of-tomorrow/) story about the balancing act between preserving carbon-absorbing old growth forests and harvesting them to fund state programs appeared on 59 different news sites.
Good journalism helps readers understand what’s happening and what’s on the horizon. It holds public officials accountable, shares opportunities to make a difference, highlights potential solutions, and ultimately gives people hope. We look forward to reading the stories that emerge from this project.