Winter 1998 SEJournal The Quarterly Publication of the Society of Environmental Journalists Vol. 7 No. 4 Interview with Ben Bradlee Grazing: it’s Get it, get it right a jungle in Ben Bradlee, Vice-President-at- editor of the Boston Globe). We were Large for The Washington Post, spent an reporters together on this paper so long the arid West hour with mem- ago that it’s embarrassing. He started By SUSAN ZAKIN bers of the SEJ on me years ago that we, the industry, “Be careful,” said the tall man in board and staff but also the Post, ought to be doing the cowboy hat. on January 9. more on the environment, which was cer- I did a double-take. Was this a SEJ’s goal in tainly true. fatherly benediction? Seemed a little requesting the Tim Wirth, who was the Senator strange, since I had just been asking meeting was to from Colorado, has been in the State the same man, a member of a so-called introduce Department, and is about to become the “progressive” ranching group, rather Bradlee to the director of Ted Turner’s one billion tough questions in a panel discussion organization, and dollar gift to the United Nations, got on cattle grazing in the West. Ben Bradlee to draw out the me involved in environmental issues. Then it dawned on me. well-known editor’s advice on furthering And finally there was Tom Lovejoy of I had spent my first decade in jour- SEJ’s mission. the Smithsonian who is a leader in this nalism as a daily reporter, interviewing area. It crystallized for me when they pimps, prostitutes, murderers and Bradlee: You should know that I am dared me to go on a trip to the rain forest rapists. But this rancher was the first quite lately come to involvement in the of Brazil. It was one of the best times person to threaten me. environment area. I’ve had two or three I’ve ever had in my life. Welcome to the West. gurus. The first is Tom Winship (former (Continued on page 19) (Continued on page 21) In this issue Kyoto a serious circus SEJ News n Newsroom outreach program is up and Global warming politics make strange bedfellows running...............................................page 4 By DALE CURTIS The conference scene reminded me Science Survey When people learned I had just of an American political party conven- n U N’s Year of the Ocean .............page 10 returned from covering the UN climate tion. Participants wearing color-coded change negotiations in Kyoto, Japan, the credentials swarmed like ants through- Viewpoints universal reaction seemed to be: “That out a modern conference facility filled to n WISEUSE director wants reporters to circus? What was it like? “Did it really the rafters with banners, exhibits and practice “deep journalism” ...........page 11 accomplish anything?” Assuming SEJ rows of impromptu working spaces. Bookshelf members might pose the same questions, The media mob was one of the n Author Sandra Steingraber disects an I will try to answer them. largest I’d ever seen. Indeed, nearly unfavorable review .....................page 12 My missions in Kyoto were to pro- 3,500 credentialed journalists covered Reporters Toolbox vide breaking news and “color” com- the event, outnumbering the 2,200 offi- mentary for inclusion with Greenwire’s cial delegates and nearly matching the n Suzanne Spencer offers tips on covering daily “cover-the-coverage” news sum- number of representatives of various the new organic regs ...................page 14 mary; to do some serious networking advocacy groups, estimated at 3,600. In Features and promotion for Greenwire; and to a sign of shrewd planning, the activists n Newspaper with an attitude ......page 15 satisfy my own intellectual curiosity and and reporters were located side-by-side Green beat love of adventure. I’m pleased to report in the cavernous “event hall,” just a two- n State by state roundup ..............page 26 that the trip was a success on all counts. (Continued on page 23) © Copyright 1998 the Society of Environmental Journalists, P.O. Box 27280 Philadelphia, PA 19118 Good news sure beats bad Despite some adolescent growing Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, and who are supportive of SEJ’s efforts on pains, this organization—your organiza- $10,000 from the Lyndhurst Foundation. behalf of the profession. (If you know of a tion—is in pretty good shape for 1998. The budget approved in Washington prospect, please let me know). Within the past month we have provides $325,000 in operating funds and We may pursue an idea offered by received confirmation of $80,000 in new a $44,000 reserve at the end of the year Washington Post managing editor Robert or renewed foundation grants. That news (compared to a $345,000 operating budget Kaiser: publishing a catalogue of the best enabled the board to adopt a $369,000 and $30,000 reserve in the year just ended. environmental journalism of the past budget that—provided members continue We will lose the one temporary staff posi- decade, as a reminder to editors and pub- to tirelessly volunteer their time—should tion, now held by Jim Quigley, who lishers about the enormous payoff when avert any reduction in the member ser- served SEJ well. Some of his duties, such solid environmental reporters are given the vices you have come to expect. as overseeing the TipSheet, will be han- time and tools to commit serious journal- More important, a revitalized and dled by contract workers. ism. There are many impressive examples, energetic board is laying plans for some To address the long-term uncertainties and perhaps we’ll be contacting you for exciting new initiatives and the first major about foundation funding, treasurer Sara permission to excerpt your masterpiece. membership drive in five years. We also Thurin Rollin has launched several initia- On the national conference front, have obtained supportive letters from a Peter Dykstra and David Sachsman have number of the nation's premiere news Report from the devised an innovative program for the executives, including former Washington 1998 conference in Chattanooga that Post editor Ben Bradlee (see page 1), with society’s president should make this event fresh, while retain- whom the board met on Jan. 9 thanks to ing the best aspects of past conferences. the efforts of board member Gary Lee. We Watch for more details by mail in a couple all will reap the benefits, because such months. (The board agreed to keep mem- letters open doors to collaborations ber registration at $125 for early sign-up.) with other journalism institutions and The board’s conference site commit- funding from foundations that share SEJ tee is continuing its search for a suitable commitment to help journalists better location for the 2000 conference, (1999 is cover the environment. at UCLA and 2001 will be in Portland, Great ideas and a volunteer spirit have By Ore.) We are looking to the East Coast, distinguished SEJ and its members since Kevin perhaps the Washington area, due to the the organization was founded in 1990. Carmody presidential election year. If you have con- Reassessment and setbacks are part of the tacts at universities that might be interest- growing process, and we’ve had some dur- tives. At her request, the board contributed ed in hosting us, or a related idea, please ing the past six months. But I am now as over 20 written ideas for fundraising and contact David Ropeik at (617) 433-4575 excited about this organization’s long- alternative ways to pay for current ser- ([email protected]) term prospects as I was when all the early vices. Most are being reviewed by board When it comes to safeguarding the success far eclipsed the founding board’s committees. vitality of this organization, both finan- wildest dreams. One of the ideas—a modest dues cially and journalistically, the watchword Any reader of this column should be increase—was unanimously adopted by has to be eternal vigilance. We practice it aware of the short and long-range finan- the board. Non-student annual dues will in journalism as we engage in fact-finding cial challenges that SEJ faced in late 1997. increase by $5, to $40 per year. It is the and truth-seeking. We must, as SEJ mem- The board, I think wisely, had gambled first change in three years, and adheres to bers, remember that this organization’s SEJ’s cash reserves to hire a fourth staff the board’s prior policy to keep dues equal greatest strength is its members who are person to allow executive director Beth to those charged by Investigative willing to volunteer to chair conferences Parke the time to prepare major program Reporters & Editors, Inc., the journalism or contribute articles to the SEJournal, or and grant proposals. SEJ has always taken organization on which SEJ was most ask an editor to write a letter of support for prudent gambles, such as hiring Amy closely modeled. Student dues will remain SEJ or simply recruit a new member. Gahran and Beth Parke early on. And so, the same, at $30 per year. Please help us continue to make great due to Beth Parke’s careful stewardship of To bolster our fundraising and pro- things happen. Volunteer for something, SEJ’s remaining funds, and her diligent gram initiatives, board members are also no matter how small. Come to a board grant writing skills, the latest gamble is trying to expand the National Advisory meeting if we’re meeting close to you now beginning to pay off. Board that already includes New York (Ann Arbor, Mich., on March 14 and The new grants include $40,000 from Times managing editor Gene Roberts and Stanford, Calif., on July 18).