Storyfest 2020
Congratulations to our Storyfest 2020 finalists:
ARTICLES
- Brooke Bowser, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Soulardarity: A community’s success in energy democracy
- Natalie Chun, Northwestern University. Climate change is simply scientific fact for Illinois school districts regardless of political party
- Codi Clark, Texas Tech. Urban resilience for rural revitalization
- Mahalia Dryak, Reed College. What do we do about urban heat islands
- Alexander Gottdiener, Princeton University. Bird-watching in an age of anxiety
- Greta Hardy-Mittell, Carleton College. A society for the birds
- Anthony Karambelas, Santa Monica College. Remember Who?
- Matilda Kreider, George Washington University. Tipping the balance for fisheries on the small scale
- Brendan Rose, SUNY Purchase. Florida’s aquifer is in crisis — but there’s still time to save it
MULTIMEDIA/PODCASTS
- Deepti Bansal Gage, GW Law School. Wait! Before you squish that bug…
- Emily Mortensen, SUNY New Paltz. Mushroom shed
- Arik Palileo, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry. Saving the bees
- Lucie Rochat, Middlebury College. This is now: The climate crisis at Middlebury College
- Dylan Simard, Arizona State University. Making a home for fish in the desert takes a little help – and a lot of PVC
- Lizzie Stricklin, George Washington University. How do you speak for the river?
- Avery Van Etten, Northwestern University. Sea-level rise threatens the Florida Keys (3-part series)
PHOTO ESSAY
- Arielle Bader, George Washington University. SUPing garbage man
- Angelica Gonzalez, SUNY-ESF. Ghanian guide to sustainable living
- Matilda Kreider, George Washington University. Sandcastles and the seawall
- Paulina Oswald, Eckerd College. Seaside Seabird Sanctuary saviors
- Meg Rossie, SUNY-ESF. The effects of human disturbances on national parks
- Keaton Smith, Middlebury College. Life lessons from the farm
- Cate Twining-Ward, George Washington University. Clinging onto chimps: Why you should think of chimpanzees during the climate crisis
SHORT/SHAREABLE VIDEO
- Francesca Edralin, George Washington University. The solution is in the seaweed
- Carolyne Im, George Washington University. The myth of single-use plastic bags
- Jess Makler, George Washington University. Precious Plastic: Providing a solution to plastic waste
- Jake Meyers, University of Arizona. Can urban farming feed the future?
VIDEO
- Lindsay Eberhart, SUNY-ESF. Tourist attraction, or environmental disaster?
- Francesca Edralin, George Washington University. You’ve heard them on the streets, now hear their stories
- Jordan Elder, Arizona State University. Using sunlight to make water
- Anne Flaherty, Eckerd College. We have a plastic problem. Eckerd College took action
- Caroline Hedgcock, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Crave Brothers: Dairy farming done different
- Jake Meyers, University of Arizona. Trump’s wall divides endangered species, unites activists
- Sarah Noyse, George Washington University. What’s happening to oysters in the Chesapeake Bay?
- Sarah Sem, George Washington University. What’s the beef with meatless burgers?
See all the 2020 Storyfest entries below - and don't forget to give your favorite pieces a thumbs-up. Every entry is in the running for our Fan Favorite Award!
SUNY ESF
insight into the annual phenomena of smog from the perspective of an environmental studies student.
SUNY ESF
My story concerns the expansion of the built environment and its possible effects on public health and socio-spatial inequality
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent
I let my mind wander down the endless paths of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. What I’ve realized is that all this worrying is doing far more harm than what I could be doing if I was doing anything but worrying.
The George Washington University
Here's some key information about the recent straw war, which was sparked by Trump's anti-environment campaign merchandise.

Is organic always better than conventional produce? Here are five organic food myths debunked. (Creative Commons Public Domain)
The George Washington University
Organic food assumptions, fueled by marketing, are that organic cherries are more nutritious, safer, and healthier for me since organic farming is better for the environment. Is this the truth?

Recycling flows through Waste Management's CID Recycling & Disposal operation on Chicago's far southeast side in this 2015 image. (Chris Bentley/Creative Commons)
SUNY College at Brockport
Recycling used to be thought of as the answer to our waste problems. But rising recycling issues mean the U.S. has to change its strategies toward waste, reports a new survey from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
Planet Forward Correspondent | Eckerd College
Eckerd College President Donald Eastman III signed the Break Free from Plastic Pledge on Nov. 5, making it the first college in the United States to implement a comprehensive ban of unnecessary single-use plastics.
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent
As a wildlife conservation intern at a chimpanzee sanctuary in Sierra Leone, I learned why conserving these creatures is important and how they are directly impacted by climate change.
Planet Forward Correspondent | SUNY-ESF
Composting is one of the most attainable steps for people on the path to a more sustainable lifestyle, but many find the process intimidating. This inspiring podcast breaks down composting for you.
Climate change is simply scientific fact for Illinois school districts regardless of political party
Planet Forward Correspondent | Northwestern University
“It's just a statement,” teacher Anna Kraftson said of climate change. “There's data. It's not like ‘I believe in this’ or ‘I don't believe in this.’"