Mark Hertsgaard

@markhertsgaard

Mark Hertsgaard is the environment correspondent of The Nation and the executive director of the global media collaboration Covering Climate Now. His new book is Big Red’s Mercy:  The Shooting of Deborah Cotton and A Story of Race in America.

President Donald Trump speaks during the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters on September 23, 2025, in New York City.

Reporting the Truth When Politicians Lie Reporting the Truth When Politicians Lie

With the global rise of organized misinformation campaigns, outlets should embrace “the truth sandwich” and place a false claim between the actual facts.

Oct 9, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

The World’s Newsrooms Can Learn From Bill McKibben’s Climate Journalism

The World’s Newsrooms Can Learn From Bill McKibben’s Climate Journalism The World’s Newsrooms Can Learn From Bill McKibben’s Climate Journalism

Traditional journalists complain that he is an advocate—the same criticism Woodward and Bernstein faced during Watergate.

Sep 25, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard and Kyle Pope

A man on a rooftop looks at approaching flames as the Springs fire continues to grow on May 3, 2013, near Camarillo, California.

Are We Distracting Ourselves Into Climate Catastrophe? Are We Distracting Ourselves Into Climate Catastrophe?

When shocking news about how soon civilization might collapse is overshadowed by Taylor Swift’s engagement, we might have a problem.

Sep 11, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

A newspaper box with a paper that reads “Michael Bears Down” in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Millville, Florida, on October 11, 2018.

News Avoidance and the Climate Majority News Avoidance and the Climate Majority

The next phase of Covering Climate Now’s 89 Percent Project puts faces to the numbers.

Sep 4, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

“It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song  20 Years After Katrina

“It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song 20 Years After Katrina “It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song 20 Years After Katrina

The New Orleans jazz great tells Covering Climate Now, “When you make a song, you want to inspire people, but you also want to let them know what they can do.”

Aug 28, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

Two men row a boat on a flooded street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, on October 4, 2015.

The Invisible Snakes of Climate Change The Invisible Snakes of Climate Change

Tony Bartelme’s new book shows how great storytelling can wake people up.

Aug 21, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

Climate activists march across the Brooklyn Bridge to demand that New York Governor Kathy Hochul stop the construction of the Williams Pipeline in New York City on August 9, 2025.

What’s Next for Covering Climate Now’s 89 Percent Project What’s Next for Covering Climate Now’s 89 Percent Project

An overwhelming global majority supports stronger climate action. Who are the people behind the numbers?

Aug 14, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

Can Solar Energy Save Us?

Can Solar Energy Save Us? Can Solar Energy Save Us?

Bill McKibben’s new book argues that sun power can displace fossil fuels.

Aug 7, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

The director of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Vishal Prasad (2nd R), speaks to the media in The Hague on July 23, 2025. The world’s highest court on July 23 declared that states have a legal obligation to tackle climate change and that failing to do so was a “wrongful act” that could open the door to reparations.

The World Court Adds Muscle to the Climate Fight The World Court Adds Muscle to the Climate Fight

After a “landmark” ruling from the International Court of Justice, journalists can expect more lawsuits against fossil fuel companies.

Jul 31, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

Premature babies receive care in an incubator at Al-Helou Hospital, where they are at risk due to fuel shortages, in Gaza City, on July 17, 2025.

Desperate for Fuel in Gaza Desperate for Fuel in Gaza

An extraordinary eyewitness report reveals that food isn’t the only thing Palestinians are starved of. Fuel is almost as scarce.

Jul 24, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

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