In his winning entry, Colum Lynch, a senior reporter with a background as a diplomatic journalist for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post, highlighted the UN and various governments’ concerns about Russia’s Black Sea blockade following its invasion of Ukraine. The blockade raised alarms about potential impacts on food prices. Despite frantic attempts to lift the blockade, there was a lack of a practical diplomatic solution to address the impending crisis.

Roy Barbosa closely monitors the everyday experiences of regular citizens in Metro Manila. In this urban landscape, affordable modes of transportation, such as the popular jeepneys and small-scale operators, are at risk of closure to make room for government-sponsored urban modernization. Extensive protests have shut down key routes in the Philippines’ capital, causing widespread transportation
disruptions nationwide.

Valerie Volcovici has been honored with the Gold Medal for her comprehensive reporting that uncovers substantial obstacles to clean energy policies. Her pioneering stories cover a spectrum of topics, from exposing hurdles hindering the utilization of wind power by Native Americans in the U.S. to shedding light on the global neglect of addressing the alarming contribution of the world’s armed forces to greenhouse gas emissions.

In his winning entry, Marco Congiu portrayed the imminent danger of climate
change through poignant human narratives. His reporting delves into the forced relocation of the Isle of Jean-Charles population, situated near New Orleans, as it is sinking into the Gulf of Mexico caused by storm surges and rising seas. The slowly vanishing island serves as a stark cautionary tale about the challenges looming for larger coastal communities and cities in the years ahead.

Juan Carlos Machorro has been awarded the Bronze Medal for his in-depth articles
investigating the environmental challenges confronting Mexico. His thorough report, which highlights the looming threat of severe drought in the country, particularly in the state of Queretaro, and outlines potential measures to address the crisis, serves as a compelling call to action for authorities to implement the necessary radical steps to combat the impact of climate change.

Based in Delhi, Shalini Singh has extensively covered the effects of climate change on the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen along the Yamuna River in Delhi. She participated in the Conference of Parties held in Sharm el-Sheikh in November 2022, where she witnessed the introduction of projects such as sustainable urban resilience dependent on cities’ practical implementation of comprehensive climate action plans.

In her winning entry, Nadima Umar Uthman, a journalist specializing in
sustainable development and related topics in Ghana, highlighted the potential risk of brain damage among children under five in some areas of the country due to reported exposure to lead pollution. Local health workers have raised concerns, noting the inadequacy of most medical facilities to conduct proper tests for lead contamination in children.