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
Washington legislators look to crack down on environmental crime
A bill before the Washington state Senate would make intentional water pollution, air pollution, and spilling of hazardous waste felonies.
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Politics
Trump’s proposed Canada tariff could boost Northwest energy bills
President Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian imports could be an expensive proposition for the Pacific Northwest, which depends heavily on its northern neighbors for energy supplies.
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Environment
Pacific Northwest’s busiest volcano predicted to erupt by end of 2025
Thanks to a dense array of sensors on the volcano’s summit and flanks, scientists know that Axial Seamount has been swelling with magma and getting taller, a sign that it’s ready to go off.
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Environment
Role reversal: Avian flu makes birds a menace to cats
Scientists and volunteers with the Olympic Cougar Project said they have the opportunity now to study bird flu in wild animals – to hopefully prevent it from spreading to people.
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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.