As lead environment reporter for The Guardian Australia, Readfearn specializes in investigative climate science reporting with a focus on institutional accountability. His work bridges academic research and public discourse, particularly regarding:
Recent accolades include the 2023 Walkley Award for his coal industry exposé and recognition by the International Environmental Communication Association for advancing science journalism standards.
With over two decades of environmental journalism across three continents, Graham Readfearn has established himself as a preeminent voice in climate crisis reporting. His career began in UK local newspapers before transitioning to Australia in 2008, where he developed a specialty in disentangling climate science from misinformation campaigns.
This 2025 investigation combined NOAA satellite data analysis with on-the-ground interviews with marine biologists to document unprecedented ocean heating. Readfearn revealed how government-funded reef protection programs conflicted with Australia's continued fossil fuel exports. The piece directly influenced UNESCO's decision to delay the reef's "in danger" classification pending policy reforms.
This 2014 exposé dissected how media outlets misrepresented peer review processes to fabricate climate science controversies. Through forensic analysis of editorial correspondence and reviewer comments, Readfearn demonstrated systematic distortion of climate sensitivity research by conservative publications. The article remains a seminal case study in science communication literature.
In this 2023 multimedia presentation, Readfearn moderated a debate between marine scientists and policymakers about balancing economic interests with reef conservation. His incisive questioning exposed gaps in government monitoring programs, leading to increased funding for real-time bleaching alert systems.
Readfearn prioritizes stories that expose attempts to undermine peer-reviewed climate research. A successful 2024 pitch revealed how fossil fuel lobbyists infiltrated university research panels, demonstrated through leaked emails and funding disclosures. Pitches should include verifiable documentation of institutional conflicts of interest.
His reporting often uses Australian case studies to illustrate universal climate challenges. The 2023 series on Murray-Darling Basin water management combined hydrological modeling with Indigenous ecological knowledge, setting a template for localized storytelling with international relevance.
Stories deconstructing climate misinformation networks receive particular attention. A 2022 investigation traced PR firms coordinating anti-renewable campaigns across three continents, using metadata analysis from social media posts and corporate registries.
Received for exposing coal industry influence on Australia's climate policy framework. The judging panel noted how Readfearn "redefined energy reporting through meticulous documentation of institutional capture."
Awarded by the Australian Science Media Centre for translating complex climate models into accessible public narratives. His submission demonstrated how simplified coral bleaching infographics increased reader engagement by 300%.
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:
