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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Researchers rush to learn more about bird flu's impact on wildlife
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Environment
Despite state law, Washington takes 3+ years to reveal its climate pollution
When it comes to climate change, speed matters.
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Environment
Biden ban puts more of Northwest off limits to oil drilling
A new ban from President Joe Biden prevents offshore drilling within 200 miles of the nation’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the northern Bering Sea.
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Environment
Grieving orca mom carries dead calf on her nose for fifth day
An endangered orca mother has been carrying her dead newborn calf on her snout for nearly a week around Washington’s Puget Sound.
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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.