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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Environment
Famous orca mom carries another dead calf around Puget Sound
Two newborn calves joined the Northwest's endangered orcas in December. By New Year’s Eve, one of them was dead — and being carried around on its mother’s nose.
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Environment
Endangered orcas’ circle of life: one baby dies, another is born
A baby orca at first believed to be J61, which hadn't been seen for nearly a week, turned out to be a brand-new baby instead. Researchers now presume J61 is dead.
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Environment
Newborn orca brings holiday cheer — and fear — to Seattle whale watchers
What might be the world’s most famous orca has given birth again.
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Environment
Quick fixes for air travel’s stubborn climate problem
Efforts to tame air travel's big carbon problem are just getting off the ground. Even so, travelers have powerful tools at their disposal to reduce the global harm their journeys cause.
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Environment
Why Washington state aims to ban English ivy
It’s not a war on Christmas. But two botanical symbols of the holiday — holly and ivy — face increasing controls in Washington due to the ecological havoc they can wreak when they escape into the wild.
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Environment
Sea-Tac Airport says major expansion will do little harm. Neighbors don’t buy it
Sea-Tac Airport is planning a major expansion, and some neighbors are crying foul.
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Environment
Washington carbon auctions resume after surviving election challenge
Washington state held its first carbon auction since voters upheld the state’s flagship climate law in November.
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Environment
King County’s little red fish swims back from brink of extinction
More kokanee salmon have spawned in streams above Lake Sammamish in 2024 than at any other time in a decade.
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Amtrak engineer on Seattle-bound train nearly impaled by fallen tree
A railroad engineer was nearly impaled Tuesday night when a Seattle-bound Amtrak Cascades train hit a fallen tree.
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Environment
Climate pollution surges in Washington state after pandemic lull
After sharply dropping during the Covid-19 pandemic, the state’s carbon dioxide emissions have bounced back.