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2026 SEAL Awards: Honoring Environmental Journalists

On November 12, 2026, the SEAL Awards announced the winners of its prestigious Environmental Journalism Awards, celebrating twelve remarkable journalists who have played a crucial role in illuminating the complex and urgent narratives behind the climate crisis. This year's selection stands out not only for the diversity of the honorees but also for the broad spectrum of media platforms represented, which includes both established climate desks and newer independent outlets.

The SEAL Awards, which focus on sustainability and environmental leadership, are shining a spotlight on journalists who have dedicated their work to improving public understanding of climate issues that affect communities worldwide. This includes the impacts of policy failures, the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, and the data that links these elements.

Among this year's distinguished winners are Aman Azhar and Keerti Gopal from Inside Climate News, Zeke Hausfather of Carbon Brief and Climate Brink, and Ayesha Tandon, also of Carbon Brief. They, along with other honorees such as Nick Engelfried from Sierra Magazine and Columbia Insight, and Mariana Mastache-Maldonado from El País, represent a growing number of journalists who, through their detailed reporting, expose the underlying issues of climate change, from mining practices to policymaking processes that dictate environmental outcomes.

Safa Bee Wesley, the Impact Lead for SEAL Awards, emphasized the importance of independent journalism in today's changing media landscape: "We increasingly recognize the critical work independent publications are doing to fill the knowledge gaps left by larger media organizations, yet we’re worried about the decline in environmental reporting at many major outlets."

This call to action comes amidst concerns that critical environmental journalism is being scaled back in mainstream media. Wesley advocates for a renewed investment in environmental reporting, urging top publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post to respond decisively to the climate emergency by enhancing their environmental coverage.

The winners’ investigative pieces cover a range of subjects, including the mining and manufacturing processes that underpin the global energy transition, the socio-economic disparities exacerbated by climate change, and the essential policy discussions that shape our collective response to these pressing issues. The wide-ranging topics addressed by these journalists highlight the interdisciplinary nature of climate reporting and the need for different perspectives to tackle such a systemic issue.

An assessment panel evaluated the candidates based on their body of work, the impact and reach of their reporting, and the creativity and social relevance of their insights on environmental matters. The SEAL Awards continue to broaden their search for honorees across various media formats and geographical importance, showcasing the global scale of the climate challenge.

The 2026 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award Winners Include:

• - Aman Azhar | Inside Climate News
• - Keerti Gopal | Inside Climate News
• - Zeke Hausfather | Carbon Brief, Climate Brink
• - Ayesha Tandon | Carbon Brief
• - Nick Engelfried | Sierra Magazine, Columbia Insight
• - Robert Hunziker | Counter Currents
• - Mariana Mastache-Maldonado | El País
• - Tulani Ngwenya | Oxpeckers, Gizmodo
• - Elizabeth Ouzts | Canary Media, Mother Jones
• - Juan Carlos Partida | La Jornada
• - Dyna Rochmyaningsih | Mongabay, National Geographic
• - Matt Simmons | The Narwhal

As the climate crisis grows increasingly urgent, the role of journalists remains vital in informing the public and shaping the discourse around sustainability and environmental policies. The SEAL Awards serve as a reminder of the impact that diligent reporting can have in driving accountability and fostering a more informed society as we confront the challenges ahead.