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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Hotels could become home for many Afghan refugees in Seattle area
Relief organizations in the Seattle area are having to get creative to find housing for an expected influx of refugees from Afghanistan. With affordable housing in scarce supply, they're asking King County to make some county-owned hotels available for arriving refugees.
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Environment
Nest with nearly 1,500 Asian giant hornets destroyed near Blaine
A team outfitted in sting-proof foam suits eradicated a nest of the world’s largest hornets near Blaine, Washington, and the U.S.-Canada border on Wednesday. It is the first Asian giant hornet nest to be destroyed in 2021.
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Environment
Nation's first hydrogen-powered ferry launches in Bellingham
A hydrogen-powered ferry, the first of its kind in the United States, has launched in Bellingham.
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Health
Heat wave likely killed far more people in Washington state than reported
Hundreds more people died in Washington state during the last heat wave than previously reported, new analysis reveals.
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Environment
Shellfish farmers line up for disaster aid after heat wave decimates oysters and clams
After a double whammy of extreme heat and afternoon low tides killed oysters and clams back in June, farmers are bracing for a second heat wave this week.
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Environment
"Code red for humanity" (and the Northwest is no exception)
With another extreme heatwave forecast to hit the Pacific Northwest later this week, KUOW's John Ryan spoke with newscaster Paige Browning about the stark new U.N. report and its local implications.
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Environment
The deadliest heat wave: Lessons from the NW's extreme heat
It was the deadliest weather disaster in Washington state history and the most extreme heat wave on record worldwide. Local governments weren't ready for it.
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Environment
2021 heat wave is now the deadliest weather-related event in Washington history
The official death toll from Washington state’s record-breaking heat wave jumped by 21 people Monday, as the Washington Department of Health revised its count to 112 people.
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Environment
Salmon-killing tires get congressional hearing
A study that pinpointed a chemical from car tires as the cause of salmon die-offs in West Coast creeks has prompted a congressional hearing on the topic.
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Health
Nearly 800 people believed to have died in Northwest heat wave
The heat wave from two weeks ago is now one of the deadliest weather-related events in Washington state history.