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
The day the volcano meters went dark (because of the federal shutdown)
For close to 6 hours, our region was nearly blind to what was happening inside our backyard volcanoes.
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Environment
Homeowners keep building walls around Puget Sound. Biologists are taking out more
Two years in a row, more walls have come down around Puget Sound than have gone up.
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Environment
Carbon problem gets worse in WA — despite 'climate hawk' governor
Gov. Jay Inslee has made fighting climate change a priority throughout his career and his positioning himself as a climate-driven candidate for president.
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Environment
And baby makes 75: newborn orca boosts endangered whale population
Whale researchers spotted a baby orca swimming energetically with its mother west of San Juan Island on Friday.
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Environment
Electric ferries are cleaner and quieter. For orcas, that might not be enough
Gov. Jay Inslee wants the state legislature to pay for two new electric ferries this year and to convert two others.
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Environment
Another 'peanut head' as endangered orca loses fat around blowhole
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Environment
Sea lion shootings: Federal crime or legal response to annoying animal?
“Every dead animal really has a story to tell us," she said, standing over the 800-pound carcass.
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Environment
Gov. Inslee proposes comprehensive orca recovery package
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Environment
Bold or tired? Inslee climate policy aims at decade-old goal
Inslee’s policy is not as ambitious as Seattle’s or California’s--and not in line with the latest climate science.
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Environment
Seattle’s public health enemy #1? Climate change
“This is the most significant health threat facing both our region and the world.”