John Ryan
Environment Reporter
About
John Ryan joined KUOW as its first full-time investigative reporter in 2009 and became its environment reporter in 2018. He focuses on climate change, energy, and the ecosystems of the Puget Sound region. He has also investigated toxic air pollution, landslides, failed cleanups, and money in politics for KUOW.
Over a quarter century as an environmental journalist, John has covered everything from Arctic drilling to Indonesian reef bombing. He has been a reporter at NPR stations in southeast and southwest Alaska (KTOO-Juneau and KUCB-Unalaska) and at the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
John’s stories have won multiple national awards for KUOW, including the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi awards for Public Service in Radio Journalism and for Investigative Reporting, national Edward R. Murrow and PMJA/PRNDI awards for coverage of breaking news, and Society of Environmental Journalists awards for in-depth reporting.
John welcomes tips, documents, and feedback. Reach him at jryan@kuow.org or for secure, encrypted communication, he's at heyjohnryan@protonmail.com or 1-401-405-1206 on the Signal messaging app.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English, some Spanish, some Indonesian
Professional Affiliations: SAG-AFTRA union member and former shop steward; Society of Environmental Journalists member and mentor
Stories
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Washington to phase out new gasoline-powered cars by 2035
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the state will phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by the year 2035.
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How communities persevere through climate catastrophe
It can be hard in 2022 to look at climate issues and not feel despair. But across the country, communities are persevering through our new climate reality.
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Deepwater diesel cleanup stalls at San Juans shipwreck
U.S. Coast Guard officials say divers won’t be able to reach the Aleutian Isle, a sunken fishing boat off San Juan Island, until next week.
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Second heat wave of 2022 hits Northwest. A third is in the forecast
Much of the Pacific Northwest is under a heat advisory or heat warning through Thursday night.
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‘Incredibly lucky:' Endangered orcas dodge diesel spill off San Juan Island
A fishing boat carrying 2,600 gallons of fuel sank off the west side of San Juan Island, spreading an oily sheen for 2 miles in critical habitat for the Northwest’s endangered orcas. Researchers called it “incredibly lucky” that the whales and the diesel apparently never crossed paths.
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Behemoth moth lands in Bellevue, alarming agriculture officials
A homeowner in Bellevue spotted a giant orange moth, as big as a paper plate but with wing tips resembling a pair of cobras, hanging off the side of his garage.
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Washington heat wave kills 10. Emergency rooms treat 540 heat victims
Medical officials now believe excessive heat has killed at least 10 people in Washington state since July 25.
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Prolonged heat wave kills at least three in Seattle area, sends hundreds to ER
A six-day heat wave, the longest in Seattle history, has killed at least three people in King County, according to preliminary reports from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. Another three people have drowned in the county since Thursday.
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'Always get the dog’s name!'
What is Journalism Rule #1, you ask? “Always get the dog’s name” is near the top of the list.
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Hospitals brace for surge as Seattle area feels the heat
Hospitals in Washington state are bracing for a surge in heat victims coming to their emergency rooms. They hope to avoid a repeat of the 2021 heat wave, which killed an estimated 400 people in the state.