Newspaper articles and opinion pieces

Columns and feature articles written for the Sunday Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus in Vermont (and since 2016 the Green Energy Times, which may be edited versions of Herald articles).

For each year, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and now 2022 and 2023 there is an compilation of my "Planet" newspaper columns on the right.

Environmental Journalism Revisited outlines the history, philosophy and vision of the Sunday Environment page; and gives an overview of the published content during the first four years.

This letter from the 1927 flood in Vermont was published in the Herald in memory of the Irene flood.

Since 2016, edited versions of my newspaper articles and recently many new articles have been published in the Green Energy Times (see annual collections to right)

Filter By Topic: Climate Change; Community solutions; Earth system; Forests; Local Food; Policy; Renewable energy; Scientific integrity; Seasonal climate; Waste management; Water

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2022-05-21Lost in the webs of Lies (Global climate challenges and the truth): Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2020-11-21Joy and darkness: Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2019-09-07Floods, ice, fires and drought: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2019-05-15Saving our children: Green Energy Times
2019-04-13Saving our children: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2017-12-23The weather listens to no man: Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2016-12-31Toward Solidarity, Community: Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2016-01-10Reflections on a hot year: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2015-01-25The transformation ahead: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2013-09-08Communities can build a more resilient society: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2012-07-22Down to earth: Vt. scientist gauges climate from his garden - Kevin O'Connor: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2012-04-08A glimpse into the future of our Vermont climate: Rutland Herald & Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2012-02-26Vermont winters are changing rapidly: Rutland Herald/Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus
2010-08-29Earth’s Response to human stresses on the natural landscape: Rutland Herald
2010-06-06Oil disasters and the transition to sustainability: Rutland Herald
2010-04-25Spring climate transition and new beginnings: Rutland Herald
2008-11-17Sustainable Systems: Rutland Herald
2007-06-24Growing Pains: How global warming helps and hurts Vt. agriculture: Rutland Herald

Yearly Collections of my newspaper articles

These collections of articles blend science and opinion with a systems perspective as they go through the seasons, dealing with weather, climate, energy and policy issues. They encourage the reader to explore alternative and hopeful paths for themselves, their families and society. I have written them so that a scientist will perceive them as accurate (although simplified); while the public can relate their tangible experience of the weather to the much broader issues of climate and climate change. As political attacks on climate science have increased in recent years, I have expanded my social and political commentary, since earth scientists share responsibility for the future of the Earth!

Here is a citable reference list for the Climate, Energy and Community, 'Planet' series with DOIs till 2017; continuing through 2023. My Green Energy Times annual collections run from 2016 to present.

Special climate topics

Short papers covering selected topics in more detail