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
Pollution is problematic for pollinators — and perhaps your produce
Air pollution is making it hard for some Washington state flowers to get pollinated, according to a new study in the journal Science.
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Environment
How a Northwest tribe is escaping a rising ocean
In a mossy stretch of forest on Washington state’s outer coast, streets and sidewalks have appeared in recent weeks.
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Environment
Quinault Indian Nation hits milestone in effort to move village uphill to safety
In a remote stretch of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, streets and sidewalks have appeared. The Quinault Indian Nation spent a decade trying to move its village of Taholah out of reach of rising seas.
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Environment
Warm-water turtle rescued from Salish Sea after fishermen find her stunned by cold
A loggerhead sea turtle, usually found in warmer waters farther south, was rescued from the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
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Environment
Sewage burning? Yes, it’s a thing in Western Washington
Four cities in western Washington burn their sewage sludge: Anacortes, Bellingham, Lynnwood, and Vancouver, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Environment
Endangered baby orca J60 missing, presumed dead
The baby orca known as J60 is missing and presumed dead, according to the Center for Whale Research.
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Health
5 victims of Puyallup crash identified, including 4 children
The Pierce County Medical Examiner has identified all five victims of a deadly crash on state Route 512 in Puyallup early on the morning of Jan. 14.
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Environment
Taming speed on the Speedway (and other Washington roads)
Many American roadways are built for speed. One road north of Seattle is even named for it: the Mukilteo Speedway.
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Environment
Why PSE urged Western Washington to conserve energy amid severe cold
Energy utilities in Washington and Oregon asked their customers to curtail gas and electricity usage on Saturday after the Northwest’s largest storehouse of natural gas shut down amid extreme cold temperatures.
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Environment
Baby orca update: It’s a boy!
Orcas don’t have gender-reveal parties (as far as we know).