Stephen Leahy, International Environmental Journalist

Multiple environmental crisis represent “the greatest challenge in the history of our species”.

–Thomas Lovejoy, professor,George Mason University, former chief scientist of the World Bank

IN 2011 major US TV networks did a total of 14 stories on climate change. Print media coverage was little better. I did at least 25 different climate stories in 2011 thanks, in part, to support from readers.

After 19 years as an environmental journalist published in many major media outlets like National Geographic, I now count myself lucky to get $150 to $250 for an in-depth article that  took the better part a week to research and write. Magazines and news media rarely cover my expenses or travel costs.

There is little choice but to try a new form of public journalism called Community Supported Journalism.

People like you and me support independent journalists who craft honest and thoughtful articles about the major public issues of our time. This support enables me to do the reporting that is needed to make informed choices and find solutions.

Many people, including leading scientists, have told me: ‘we need people like you to write about these issues‘. I’d like to do far more but it is impossible to continue without your help.

Please use the donate buttons below to ensure environmental coverage in the public interest continues. Thank you. — Stephen

IMPORTANT NOTE:  All supporters and friends receive a weekly newsletter. Most importantly your contribution literally helps millions of people all around the world learn about these important issues. (When I write an article for IPS for the princely sum of $175, (it’s a non-profit, global news service) it is read by millions of readers in different languages and often picked by news websites such as Reuters AlertNet, the Guardian, Al Jazeera, AlterNet,  TerraViva, Tierramerica, Common Dreams, Truthout,  InfoSud, Straightgoods.com and others. None of those sites pay me for the reuse my articles.)

 Credit cards and PayPal accounts accepted

(And just to be clear, if you pay by PayPal, you don’t have to join PayPal. You can do this as a one-time thing.I use the PayPal Donate service because more than 100,000 non-profits safely use it.) You can cancel at any time.

1. Monthly Support:

$10 a month      $15 a month

$20 a month     $30 a month

$50 a month    $100 a month

2. One time donations can be made here:

(Click the button and enter the amount.)  

3. Checks/Cheques by Mail: 

[Contact me directly for mailing address and other options.]

A Swiss journalist’s take on my approach:

Adopt a Muckraker? The Future of Journalism: “If we’re not willing to pick up the tab… who will?”

Letters of Support

“We need people like you. In tough economic times, where information flow is increasingly channelled and controlled, you perform a simply critical role. Hang in there. You are an admirable role model for the future.”

– E. Ann Clark, Associate Professor, University of Guelph.

“Stephen Leahy has done a superb job exposing the enormous sums the US government is spending on corporate welfare for big oil.”

Ross Gelbspan, Pulitzer-prize winning editor and author of The Heat is On

“Stephen has mastered the art of accurately and engagingly conveying complex scientific ideas to a lay audience; the feedback we get on his work tends to be glowing, both from readers and researchers — which is a rare thing.”

– Katherine Stapp, IPS Regional Editor, North America and the Caribbean

My continued appreciation to those who have contributed in the past.