New Media Outlet The Revelator to Focus on Environment, Investigations, Ideas

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity launched a new online media outlet today called The Revelator, which will focus on news about environmental issues, investigative reporting and deepening the conversations about the most important conservation issues of this century. The site will include daily stories about wildlife, climate change, public lands and other environmental topics as well as essays, commentary and investigative pieces at the intersection of politics, conservation and economics.

“Now more than ever we need news and analysis that gets to the heart of the ideas and issues that shape our planet, not just for us but for wildlife and the natural world we live in,” said Kierán Suckling, the Center's executive director. “The Revelator will be a groundbreaking source for incisive reporting and commentary that will give us a deeper understanding of the issues that matter most.”

John Platt is the editor of The Revelator. Platt has spent more than a decade as an environmental journalist covering topics like endangered species, climate change and renewable energy. He was the author and creator of the “Extinction Countdown” feature at Scientific American, which has chronicled the stories of more than 1,000 endangered species over the past 10 years. That feature will now be part of The Revelator.

“I'm excited to bring my experience covering vitally important environmental topics to a new audience,” said Platt. “This is a challenging time for all of us, and that presents us with a unique opportunity to dive deep into the issues that the world needs to be talking about on a daily basis. I expect The Revelator will be a challenging and inspiring publication for our readers, and a difficult one for the people and organizations we shine our spotlight upon.”

John Dougherty is The Revelator's investigative reporter. Dougherty is an award-winning journalist with more than 35 years' experience covering environmental, political and economic news. His work as has appeared in The New York Times, High Country News and The Washington Post. He has also produced two documentary films, Cyanide Beach and Flin Flon Flim Flam.

“I'm delighted to have this rare opportunity to conduct investigative reporting on the most pressing environmental issues,” Dougherty said. “Send me your story ideas.”

Among the stories in today's edition of The Revelator are how climate change threatens whooping cranes, a surprising source of plastic pollution, and a look at how conservationists stay positive amidst the ongoing extinction crisis. Upcoming stories in The Revelator's first weeks will also include a major investigation into a well-known oil company, a look back at an important piece of history for environmental protection of workers, and a profile of an important new activist group.

The Revelator also welcomes tips for stories and investigations, including from those working from within the Trump administration. Send them to tips@TheRevelator.org.