John’s articles appear in such diverse publications as the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives to the adventure-oriented Canoe & Kayak. Here is a sampling:
Balancing Act: Creating the Right Regulation for Coal Combustion Waste--This feature in the November, 2009 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives describes a host of legislative initiatives that could encourage the recycling of 56 millions tons of coal combustion wastes, while ensuring protection of the nation’s land, air and water.
Plumbing the Depths—The federal government has recently opened 2.9 million acres of ocean bottom off North Carolina and Virginia for offshore oil and gas leases. This feature in Wildlife in North Carolina outlines the challenge of safely drilling and transporting oil in an area renowned for swirling ocean currents and high concentrations of endangered sea turtles and sea birds.
Tar Heel Pride—In the midst of a recession, North Carolinians are volunteering in droves to help construct a thousand-mile-long hiking trail from Clingman’s Dome in the Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. Read in Appalachia about the history of this trail, the people who are making it a reality, and the challenges that remain to completing it.
Pools of Hope—Published in the Nov/December, 2009, issue of Orion, this essay heralds the beauty of water gardens and argues for their place in providing refuge for amphibians and reptiles in a drying planet.
Sharon's Wish— This is the third in a three-part series on stream restoration published in Wildlife in North Carolina in 2008. The series researches how stream restoration projects are galvanizing individual landowners and communities across North Carolina to undertake broad-based conservation measures throughout their watersheds. Other parts of the series include Little Sugar sees the Light and Revival on the Mitchell.
River Dance— Short pieces often deliver the greatest punch. This lyrical essay from Canoe & Kayak illustrates John’s ability to bring his heart into writing about nature and the environment.
Drought in the Southeast: Lessons for Water Management— This feature published in the April 2008 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives chronicles the devastating Southeastern drought of 2007 and examines the effectiveness of programs and policies adopted by water utilities for promoting conservation.
They Spoke of the Earth— Along with writing books, John is a frequent reviewer of books on the environment. This review of Bill McKibben’s American Earth was published by the Raleigh News & Observer on Earth Day, 2008.
Passion for the Pigeon— Published in Canoe & Kayak, this excerpt from John’s 2006 memoir The Canoeist features a colorful cast of characters and compelling social and political issues surrounding the resurrection of an embattled Appalachian River.
Oversight without obstruction: The challenge for high-containment labs— In the wake of 9/11, government agencies and universities are rushing to build high-containment biolabs to develop cures for deadly pathogens that could be released into the
Battle of the Biofuels—Corn ethanol or biodiesel? Which if either of these alternative fuels should we be promoting? John’s feature story for Environmental Health Perspectives compares the energy, economic, and environmental impacts of each.
The Stream Doctor—This engaging profile of Duke University professor Emily Bernhardt highlights what we don’t but ought to know about stream restoration.
Wildlife and Global Warming—Through interviews with botanists, herpetologists, wildlife agents, and fisheries experts, John documents how climate change and sea level rise are already impacting plant and animal life in North Carolina. You can download the article.