Marianne Lavelle

About

I write stories at the chaotic intersection of climate change, environmental science, business, law and politics. What are the obstacles in the drive for cleaner energy? How is climate change already altering patterns of disease, or farming, or fishing? When policymakers focus on narrow goals--by promoting biofuel or natural gas, for instance--do they unwittingly create new problems with far-reaching consequences? Why do regulations that at first seem so costly, like removing lead from gasoline or curbing acid rain pollution, turn out to produce benefits beyond measure for both human health and well-being and the economy? With climate change my main focus for the past decade, I conceived and spearheaded a project that detailed the scope of the lobbying that blocked climate policy in the United States and a binding international treaty. I was editor and a creative team leader on a multi-platform project at National Geographic that sought to raise public awareness and understanding of the world's energy challenges. In that post, I managed international online news coverage and blogging; designed interactive experiences for web site visitors; researched, edited, and wrote; and planned and moderated live roundtable events around the world. After that, I spent a year at The Daily Climate, doing online storytelling about how wine vineyards, fisheries, and other businesses are already grappling with climate change consequences. I spent a year as Science Writer in Residence at Ursinus College's Center for Science and the Common Good, where I had a chance to share with young people my passion for writing and my belief that better communication on science and technology will spur greater civic engagement, and in turn, smarter policy. I now cover politics for the award-winning nonprofit news site, InsideClimate News. Reach out to me with story ideas! marianne dot lavelle at insideclimatenews dot org For secure communication, my PGP key is here: http://bit.ly/PGPML15