Issue 24 — An Update & A Relaunch

It has been a moment since I sent out this newsletter but in its absence, I have thought a lot about whether to abandon it altogether (there are too many newsletters) or, write it more frequently (even if it remains free).

For now, I’ve decided on the latter.

In recent years, much of my writing has shifted from short stories to longform pieces or investigations — which was always the goal and for which, I am very grateful. But last year, I realized I missed writing and reporting more frequently and was instead spending much of my time drafting grant applications or trying to convince editors that I have the chops to investigate XYZ. (For transparency: I also have a heavy workload as a fact-checker and web producer. Writing isn’t my only income).

In the process of pitching shorter pieces — and realizing that I still get ghosted all.of.the.time — I thought this newsletter might be a good outlet for stories I want to write but which don’t have an obvious home. For example, last year I pitched stories on the case for a ‘just transition’ in the fashion industry and the longterm and generational impacts of starvation. I couldn’t find an editor who would green light either story. So instead, perhaps I’ll green light them myself.

Moving forward, you can expect the usual focus on environmental violence and human rights but also, I hope, original and compelling essays and interviews sometimes, with a different focus.

I hope you’ll join me on this new chapter!

REPORTING UPDATES

Over the past year or so, my 2024 investigation into U.S. security assistance and violence against environmental defenders won several awards including the 2025 CCNow Journalism Award in the Conflict & Climate Change category, the 2025 American Society of Journalists and Authors writing award in the Environmental/Climate/Sustainability category, and third place in the Society of Environmental Journalism’s 2026 Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting.

It has been a great honor for my work to be appreciated in this way and for those at the center of the story to be recognized for their resilience and sacrifice. I hope that through these awards the story gained a broader readership — which is always my goal — and that the data I collated might be a resource for activists and other journalists, alike.

Having said that, it is unnerving that this investigation only becomes more timely. State-violence, which most of my work centers upon, is increasingly targeted at activists around the world, often justified by baseless “terrorism” accusations. I’ve already written one follow-up story to this investigation — currently in the April print magazine of In These Times — and another is forthcoming.

It is my hope that at some point, this investigation will no longer be relevant.

In other news, I have a longform story from Sri Lanka in the works (much more on this later), a piece on feminist climate leadership forthcoming, and I’m currently reporting a smaller version of a once larger investigation focused on Southern Lebanon.

TEN RECOMMENDATIONS & A PHOTO

(Admittedly, quite a few newsletters)

Alleen Brown’s Eco Files. Sally Mann’s Art Work: On the Creative Life. Ahmad Ibsais’ State of Siege. Indra Sinha’s novel, Animal’s People. Madhuri Vijay’s novel, The Far Field (fiction). Maximiliano Manzoni’s Consenso newsletter. An interview with indigenous Brazilian activist and poet, Ailton Krenak. Matthew Abbott’s The Last Dolphin Hunters photo essay. Vidya Krishnan writing about Gujarat’s salt pan workers. The work of Los Angeles artist Betye Saar.

Thank you for reading this issue of Defender.

As a note, I have no plan to set a schedule as I thrive in chaos. See you in your inbox sometime soon.

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Rage On. ❤️‍🔥