John Cannon
@john-cannon.bsky.social
Staff features writer for @mongabay.com covering conservation and the environment. Reach me at [email protected].
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John Cannon
@john-cannon.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Beavers restored to tribal lands in California benefit ecosystems
This is the first installment of Mongabay’s coverage of beaver restoration in California. Read the second story. CHESTER, Calif. — The pictograph, an ochre-red outline with four paws and an…
buff.ly
Here's part 1 of my coverage of beaver restoration in California for @mongabay.com. Turns out, the recent releases wouldn't have happened without decades of effort from organizations, tribes and scientists.
The energy access gap for millions of Africans has sparked calls for a “just” energy transition that expands renewable energy without unfairly burdening people, communities or countries. Read more in my latest piece for @mongabay.com as #COP30 begins in Brazil.
What does the just energy transition mean for Africa?
When two Mongabay reporters visited the village of Lukwangulo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they encountered a reality that’s common in many parts of rural Africa: Families spend valuable time…
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November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The energy access gap for millions of Africans has sparked calls for a “just” energy transition that expands renewable energy without unfairly burdening people, communities or countries. Read more in my latest piece for @mongabay.com as #COP30 begins in Brazil.
Interesting perspective from @nytimes.com centering on recent events in Sierra Valley near my home:
The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
Opinion | The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Interesting perspective from @nytimes.com centering on recent events in Sierra Valley near my home:
The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
Much of the habitat of whitebark pine, an iconic, high-elevation tree species in western North America, won't be suitable by 2050, says a new study. The new maps the authors produced will help guide ongoing restoration efforts. More from @mongabay.com: buff.ly/YmC5KDw
October 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Much of the habitat of whitebark pine, an iconic, high-elevation tree species in western North America, won't be suitable by 2050, says a new study. The new maps the authors produced will help guide ongoing restoration efforts. More from @mongabay.com: buff.ly/YmC5KDw
The American Southwest, a new film that traces the path of the Colorado River, is now available to stream. Read my interview with director Ben Masters, now up at @mongabay.com:
‘We can have abundant rivers and wildlife’: Director of ‘The American Southwest’ on new film
At its roots, The American Southwest, from Fin and Fur Films, is a natural history documentary. “I’m a wildlife guy,” says director Ben Masters, who founded Fin and Fur in 2012. His infatuation with…
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October 17, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The American Southwest, a new film that traces the path of the Colorado River, is now available to stream. Read my interview with director Ben Masters, now up at @mongabay.com:
Reposted by John Cannon
Some media exposure for our new paper on whitebark pine.
🧪🌍
Thanks to @mongabay.com journalist @john-cannon.bsky.social for the great reporting.
🧪🌍
Thanks to @mongabay.com journalist @john-cannon.bsky.social for the great reporting.
Warmer climate could slash threatened whitebark pine territory within decades: Study
Hotter and drier conditions could whittle away 80% of land where whitebark pine grows by the middle of this century, according to a recent study. Scattered across the highest parts of the Rocky Mounta...
news.mongabay.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Some media exposure for our new paper on whitebark pine.
🧪🌍
Thanks to @mongabay.com journalist @john-cannon.bsky.social for the great reporting.
🧪🌍
Thanks to @mongabay.com journalist @john-cannon.bsky.social for the great reporting.
The second of my two stories about beavers in California for @mongabay.com looks at the promise and perils of translocating beavers to parts of their former range in the hopes that they'll bring ecosystem benefits
When does beaver reintroduction make sense?
This is the second installment of Mongabay’s coverage of beaver restoration in California. Read the first story. TÁSMAM KOYÓM, U.S. — “It’s a little wet!” Ben Cunningham shouted over his shoulder as…
buff.ly
September 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The second of my two stories about beavers in California for @mongabay.com looks at the promise and perils of translocating beavers to parts of their former range in the hopes that they'll bring ecosystem benefits
Here's part 1 of my coverage of beaver restoration in California for @mongabay.com. Turns out, the recent releases wouldn't have happened without decades of effort from organizations, tribes and scientists.
Beavers restored to tribal lands in California benefit ecosystems
This is the first installment of Mongabay’s coverage of beaver restoration in California. Read the second story. CHESTER, Calif. — The pictograph, an ochre-red outline with four paws and an…
buff.ly
September 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Here's part 1 of my coverage of beaver restoration in California for @mongabay.com. Turns out, the recent releases wouldn't have happened without decades of effort from organizations, tribes and scientists.
Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds
Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds
A new analysis suggests that the “prudent” storage available for carbon dioxide to head off further global warming is more limited than other recent estimates. Accounting for the risks associated…
buff.ly
September 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds
My latest for @mongabay.com looks where we might find space to CO2 drawn from the atmosphere -- and where it might be too risky. Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds buff.ly/TQy2MNO
September 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
My latest for @mongabay.com looks where we might find space to CO2 drawn from the atmosphere -- and where it might be too risky. Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds buff.ly/TQy2MNO
My second article on active forest management for @mongabay.com digs deeper into the science around fires and forests, the legacies of logging and fire exclusion and differing conclusions about a way forward. Old forests, new fires, and a scientific standoff over active management
Old forests, new fires, and a scientific standoff over active management
This is the second installment of Mongabay’s coverage of active management tools for forest fires. Read Part 1. Photographs of forests in the western U.S. from the mid-1800s show a starkly different…
buff.ly
August 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
My second article on active forest management for @mongabay.com digs deeper into the science around fires and forests, the legacies of logging and fire exclusion and differing conclusions about a way forward. Old forests, new fires, and a scientific standoff over active management
Here's the first article of two looking at the diverging views on what humans' role in managing forests should be, and how we can coexist with fire in a warming world. For @mongabay.com. Fixing forests or fueling fires? Scientists split over active management
Fixing forests or fueling fires? Scientists split over active management
This is the first installment of Mongabay’s coverage of active management tools for forest fires. Read Part 2. On Sept. 8, 2020, a brush field in southern Oregon, in the northwestern U.S., caught…
buff.ly
August 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Here's the first article of two looking at the diverging views on what humans' role in managing forests should be, and how we can coexist with fire in a warming world. For @mongabay.com. Fixing forests or fueling fires? Scientists split over active management
My latest piece for @mongabay.com looks at the future of beef production and whether regenerative grazing can limit the industry's environmental impacts.
Will we still eat beef in 50 years?
When drought became a perennial visitor to the Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado in the late 1990s, Steve Wooten remembers telling his family, “We got to do something different.” Between 1997 and 2003,…
buff.ly
August 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
My latest piece for @mongabay.com looks at the future of beef production and whether regenerative grazing can limit the industry's environmental impacts.
Reposted by John Cannon
Wildfires have gotten worse in the western U.S., and around the world. That’s driven a push to use tools like thinning and controlled burns to reduce risk and restore natural fire patterns.
But some scientists warn that too much intervention can harm ecosystems, especially old-growth forests.
But some scientists warn that too much intervention can harm ecosystems, especially old-growth forests.
Fixing forests or fueling fires? Scientists split over active management
On Sept. 8, 2020, a brush field in southern Oregon, in the northwestern U.S., caught fire. Over the next week, “walls” of flame tore through the towns of Talent and Phoenix in the Rogue River Valley.…
news.mongabay.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Wildfires have gotten worse in the western U.S., and around the world. That’s driven a push to use tools like thinning and controlled burns to reduce risk and restore natural fire patterns.
But some scientists warn that too much intervention can harm ecosystems, especially old-growth forests.
But some scientists warn that too much intervention can harm ecosystems, especially old-growth forests.
Reposted by John Cannon
There’s a third species of manta ray gracefully gliding through the seas, a recent study has confirmed.
Researchers have named the newly described species, found in the western Atlantic, Mobula yarae after Yara, a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology.
Researchers have named the newly described species, found in the western Atlantic, Mobula yarae after Yara, a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology.
Third manta ray species confirmed in western Atlantic
There’s a third species of manta ray gracefully gliding through the seas, a recent study has confirmed. Researchers have named the newly described species, found in the western Atlantic, Mobula yarae…
news.mongabay.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
There’s a third species of manta ray gracefully gliding through the seas, a recent study has confirmed.
Researchers have named the newly described species, found in the western Atlantic, Mobula yarae after Yara, a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology.
Researchers have named the newly described species, found in the western Atlantic, Mobula yarae after Yara, a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology.
I covered a study for @mongabay.com looking into why deforestation has slowed in Indonesia and the Brazilian Amazon. The researchers found that strong political will played a big role and is often driven by public pressure and international diplomacy. buff.ly/IZPSnBN
July 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I covered a study for @mongabay.com looking into why deforestation has slowed in Indonesia and the Brazilian Amazon. The researchers found that strong political will played a big role and is often driven by public pressure and international diplomacy. buff.ly/IZPSnBN
Reposted by John Cannon
BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency.
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
U.S. federal agency clears ways for deep-sea mining — and companies are lining up
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. On June 25, the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), a department with...
news.mongabay.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency.
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
Reposted by John Cannon
The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining.
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
U.S. Federal Agency Clears Ways for Deep-Sea Mining — and Companies Are Lining Up
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining in U.S. waters. The move includes shortened environmental review timelines and....
bit.ly
July 10, 2025 at 11:42 PM
The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining.
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
Reposted by John Cannon
TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Challenges persist in TMC’s bid to mine the deep sea, even after boost from Trump
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in internati...
news.mongabay.com
July 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Reposted by John Cannon
@mongabay.com has also revealed that key figures behind TMC—including former Nautilus execs—are now leading a new Texas-based venture: American Metal. Formed in 2025, it’s promising “sustainable” deep-sea mining for the U.S. market. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Challenges persist in TMC’s bid to mine the deep sea, even after boost from Trump
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in internati...
news.mongabay.com
July 24, 2025 at 8:50 AM
@mongabay.com has also revealed that key figures behind TMC—including former Nautilus execs—are now leading a new Texas-based venture: American Metal. Formed in 2025, it’s promising “sustainable” deep-sea mining for the U.S. market. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Reposted by John Cannon
Banks bet big on fossil fuels, boosting financing in 2024, report finds - @john-cannon.bsky.social @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/bank...
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/bank...
Banks bet big on fossil fuels, boosting financing in 2024, report finds
Financing for the fossil fuel sector from the world’s largest banks surged in 2024 to $869 billion, according to a recent report by the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and other environmental groups. ...
news.mongabay.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Banks bet big on fossil fuels, boosting financing in 2024, report finds - @john-cannon.bsky.social @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/bank...
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/bank...
Reposted by John Cannon
"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his g...
news.mongabay.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his…
buff.ly
June 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :
Reposted by John Cannon
"All told, it’s an unprecedented assault on humanity’s understanding of how global warming is transforming the planet."
“How Trump’s assault on science is blinding America to climate change” | New article from @eenews.bsky.social by Scott Waldman:
www.eenews.net/articles/how...
www.eenews.net/articles/how...
How Trump’s assault on science is blinding America to climate change
Through budget cuts and layoffs, the administration has begun to cripple the government's ability to research global warming.
www.eenews.net
June 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
"All told, it’s an unprecedented assault on humanity’s understanding of how global warming is transforming the planet."
Reposted by John Cannon
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project - @elizabethalberts.bsky.social @john-cannon.bsky.social @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his g...
news.mongabay.com
June 16, 2025 at 6:12 PM
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project - @elizabethalberts.bsky.social @john-cannon.bsky.social @mongabay.com
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
Communities in Papua New Guinea are worried about the dumping of mining waste into the Huon Gulf using a method called deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) from the Wafi-Golpu copper and gold mine. Read more about their legal battle at mbskymongabay.bsky.social.
‘It’s our garden’: PNG villages fight to prevent mine waste dumping in the sea
Three communities in Papua New Guinea are waiting for the country’s Supreme Court to decide whether their concerns about the dumping of mine waste in the sea near their homes merit cancellation of an…
buff.ly
June 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Communities in Papua New Guinea are worried about the dumping of mining waste into the Huon Gulf using a method called deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) from the Wafi-Golpu copper and gold mine. Read more about their legal battle at mbskymongabay.bsky.social.