The Grantham Prize for Environmental Journalism

A winner from the Archives:

2010 Winner: Alanna Mitchell

Journalist and author Alanna Mitchell reported a largely unexamined ecological crisis in her book, Sea Sick: The Global Ocean in Crisis. Mitchell traveled the world to join scientists in the field as they studied the ocean's "vital signs." Her beautiful writing makes for an engaging, accessible, and authoritative account of the science behind the story.

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Gone But Not Forgotten

Having honored over 120 journalists since 2006, The Grantham Prize for Excellence in Environmental Reporting came to a close in October 2012. In partnership with the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting, Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham established The Grantham Prize in 2005 to increase public understanding of environmental issues and recognize those journalists whose reporting had the potential to effect change. With The Grantham Foundation's support, the Prize played an important role in helping to ignite broad interest in high-quality environmental reporting.

2012 Grantham Prize winners (from left) Brandon Loomis, David Noyce, and Rick Egan of the Salt Lake Tribune.

The Grantham Prize plaque awarded to James Astill of The Economist in 2011.

2011 Grantham Prize winner, James Astill, receives the prize from Jury Chair David Boardman.

Grantham Prize Jury Chair, David Boardman, deliberates during the annual jurors' meeting in Narragansett, RI.

From left, Jeremy Grantham, Dan Rather, and Grantham Prize Jury Chair David Boardman find common ground during the 2011 Grantham Prize Seminar.

2011 Award of Special Merit recipient, Jeff Goodell, receives the award from Grantham Prize juror, Robert Semple, Jr. of The New York Times.

2010 Grantham Prize winner, Alanna Mitchell, accepts the prize plaque from Jury Chair Philip Meyer.

2011 winners convene in New York City. From left, Jeff Donn of the Associated Press, James Astill of The Economist, and author Jeff Goodell.

Former Grantham Prize honorees, authors Eugene Linden (2006 Award of Special Merit) and Alanna Mitchell (2010 Grantham Prize) share stories at the 2011 Grantham Prize Seminar.

2012 Grantham Award of Special Merit recipients, Betsy Carson and Gary Marcuse, discuss their winning film, Waking the Green Tiger.

Grantham Prize Juror, Susanne Reber, sorts her notes during the 2012 jurors' meeting at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography.

2010 Grantham Prize winner, Alanna Mitchell, signs copies of her book, Seasick, at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography.

Grantham Prize Juror David Boardman presents a 2010 Grantham Award of Special Merit to Cleo Paskal.

Held in the months following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the 2010 Grantham Prize Seminar convened a panel to discuss the communications difficulties experienced during and after the spill.

Juror David Boardman (far left) presents the 2009 Grantham Prize to co-winners Blake Morrison (middle) and Brad Heath.

2012 Grantham Prize Winner, Brandon Loomis, at the National Press Club

2009 Grantham Award of Special Merit recipient, Andrew Nikiforuk, discusses energy policy with NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco at the Newseum.

Grantham Prize Seminar guests enjoyed a September evening at the Newseum with the Capitol in the distance.

Jeremy Grantham of The Grantham Foundation shares a laugh with a Grantham Prize Seminar attendee.

2010 Grantham Award of Special Merit recipient, Dan Egan (left), receives the award from Jury Coordinator Bud Ward.

Grantham Prize funders Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham flank 2011 prize winner James Astill.

Representatives of the Associated Press team honored with a 2011 Grantham Award of Special Merit celebrate at the Grantham Prize Seminar in New York City.

Metcalf Institute executive director, Sunshine Menezes, presents the 2012 Grantham Prize to Brandon Loomis.

2012 Grantham Award of Special Merit Recipient, Delphine Andrews, accepts the honor on behalf of her reporting team from the University of North Carolina.

Hedrick Smith, 2010 Grantham Award of Special Merit recipient, accepts the award from Juror Deborah Potter.

Alanna Mitchell describes her 2010 Grantham Prize-winning book, Seasick, at the Grantham Prize Seminar.

The 2009 Grantham Prize Seminar, held at the Newseum in Washington, DC, featured a conversation between NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco and veteran ABC correspondent, Bill Blakemore.

2011 Grantham Prize Winner James Astill of The Economist describes his winning story at the Grantham Prize Seminar.

2012 Honorees at the National Press Club. From left, Grantham Prize winner Brandon Loomis, Betsy Carson, Gary Marcuse, Delphine Andrews

Photo Retrospective (Click to open)

The Grantham Foundation shifted its collaboration with Metcalf Institute to support improved news coverage of the environment through the Institute’s science training programs for journalists. Click here to learn more about Metcalf Institute training programs and resources for reporters.

Learn More About Past Grantham Prize Winners

Honorees Covered Wide Range of Environmental Concerns

From 2006 to 2012, The Grantham Prize honored journalists whose coverage of significant environmental issues had the potential to inspire substantive change on a local, regional, national, or international level.

Learn more about the Grantham Prize winners

Up to three Awards of Special Merit were given in each year of the prize to recognize the runners-up for The Grantham Prize.