As The Washington Post’s leading climate investigative reporter, Mooney specializes in translating complex environmental science into policy-impacting narratives. His work consistently bridges academic research, government data, and frontline community experiences.
Seek: - Underexplored climate migration patterns - Innovative carbon capture technologies - Cross-border pollution agreements
Avoid: - Celebrity environmental activism - Speculative climate fiction - Local weather event anecdotes
We’ve followed Chris Mooney’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of science and policy for nearly two decades. His career exemplifies how rigorous environmental reporting can shape public understanding of climate crises.
Mooney’s March 2025 Substack piece combines geological surveys with human stories, tracking how Galveston’s 17-inch sea level rise since 1950 forces impossible choices between coastal preservation and community relocation. His analysis of FEMA flood maps reveals 83% of the city’s historic districts face existential threats by 2040.
This Pulitzer-winning 2020 series redefined climate reporting through hyperlocal temperature analysis across six continents. Mooney’s team identified 10% of Earth’s surface already exceeding critical warming thresholds, creating a new framework for assessing climate urgency.
Mooney’s 2022 investigation exposed a 23% discrepancy between reported carbon emissions and atmospheric measurements across 18 nations. The methodology combining satellite data and ground sensors has become standard in climate accountability reporting.
Mooney’s "Drowning South" series demonstrates his preference for stories that marry quantitative analysis with visual storytelling. Effective pitches should include: - Interactive map proposals - Time-lapse climate models - Community impact metrics
His coverage of Louisiana’s coastal erosion policies shows particular interest in moments where scientific consensus meets legislative action. Successful angles include: - Pending climate-related bills - Municipal adaptation budgets - Insurance industry responses
While Mooney frequently reports on coastal cities, his 2024 work on Midwest aquifer depletion reveals growing interest in inland climate stories. Regional angles should emphasize: - Unique ecosystem vulnerabilities - Indigenous knowledge integration - Cross-jurisdictional challenges
"Mooney’s work makes the abstract profoundly personal – he doesn’t just report on climate change, he makes readers feel its human dimensions." – Pulitzer Prize Committee Citation
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Climate, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
