Mark Hertsgaard

@markhertsgaard

Mark Hertsgaard is the author of eight books that have been translated into a total of 16 languages, including Big Red’s Mercy: The Shooting of Deborah Cotton and a Story of Race in America and A Day In the Life: The Music and Artistry of the Beatles. He is executive director of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now and the environment correspondent for The Nation.

Hundreds of climate activists take part in a protest in the run up to the German elections in Bonn, Germany, on February 14, 2025.

Germany and California Make Up an Environmental Superpower Germany and California Make Up an Environmental Superpower

The world’s third- and fourth-largest economies have pledged to environmental protections. Will others follow suit?

Oct 1, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks alongside German Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety Carsten Schneider during a press briefing following a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at the United Nations on September 22, 2026.

Gavin Newsom Comments on Climate Gavin Newsom Comments on Climate

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting and New York Climate Week, the California governor called AOC “the real damn deal.”

Sep 25, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

Big Oil’s Origin Story

Big Oil’s Origin Story Big Oil’s Origin Story

Amy Westervelt’s new book, Brought to You By, exposes the deep history of today’s “information pollution.”

Sep 10, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

Is Nepal a Turning Point in Climate Coverage?

Is Nepal a Turning Point in Climate Coverage? Is Nepal a Turning Point in Climate Coverage?

Even CBS News and Bari Weiss, who fired the outlet’s entire climate unit, have used Nepal as a watchword for environmental disaster.

Sep 4, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard and Covering Climate Now

A shelf of Oatly drinks in a London supermarket.

Oatly Says Climate Action Now Oatly Says Climate Action Now

The world’s largest oat drink company is printing summaries of what it calls “the ultimate climate solution” on every carton it produces.

Aug 27, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

A patient rests in a corridor waiting for a room at Providence Cedars–Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in California on January 3, 2021.

Have We Forgotten Covid’s Lessons? Have We Forgotten Covid’s Lessons?

This summer’s deadly heat calls for news coverage based on science, not ideology.

Aug 20, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

Beachgoers rest on the beach of Moutchic on the shore of Lake Lacanau.

As Europe Burns, a Climate Cover-Up Continues As Europe Burns, a Climate Cover-Up Continues

The UK’s Labour Party seems afraid to talk about the climate emergency.

Jul 30, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) sprays water on his face at the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, July 19, 2026.

World Cup Hydration Breaks Were Not About Commercials World Cup Hydration Breaks Were Not About Commercials

As the world gets hotter, playing sports in the heat gets more dangerous. Telemundo is the only publication that got this right.

Jul 23, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

A roda de samba (samba circle) at the Pagode do Biro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Slavery’s Musical Threads Slavery’s Musical Threads

As ICE violence resurges in the US, the musical history of black Brazil offers lessons in resistance.

Jul 22, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

An estimated thousand rally and march for climate change in Philadelphia on September 20, 2019, as tens of thousands across the nation and millions globally participate in the Climate Strike.

Will Climate Voters Turn Out in Pennsylvania? Will Climate Voters Turn Out in Pennsylvania?

Interviews across this crucial swing state offer lessons for Democrats hoping to flip the House.

Jul 16, 2026 / Mark Hertsgaard

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