Heather Smith

Heather Smith is the science editor at Sierra, a former Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT, and a contributor to the atlas Nonstop Metropolis. Twitter handle => @strangerworks. 

Articles

Rich Man, Big Tree

By Heather Smith | Mar 18 2021
The documentary, screening at the DC Environmental Film Festival, raises questions about nature and who gets to have it.
forests, politics, film, art
Very big tree on a barge sailing through a sea of calm blue water.
Innovate

Meet the Land Salmon

By Heather Smith | Jan 2 2021
Terrestrial fish farms are betting that improved technology will make them competitive
technology
Illustrations show the phases of land salmon farming, including trays of eggs, tanks with fry, and someone scooping out a grown salmon from a tank.
Election 2020

The Future of Michigan’s Water Is at Stake

By Heather Smith | Oct 29 2020
Whoever gets elected to Michigan's Senate and Supreme Court will play a big role in who gets access to clean water
People in face masks unloading bottles of water from a car and on to a red hand truck
Election 2020

Early Voting Is a Form of Resistance

By Heather Smith | Oct 27 2020
Here's how to do it
Innovate

Preparing for Disaster While Making Electricity

By Heather Smith | Nov 9 2020
Most microgrids run on diesel generators, but a solar microgrid makes its own fuel
technology, clean energy
Infographic shows an aerial view of a solar array and EV charging station.

The Birds, the Scientists, and the 9/11 Memorial

By Heather Smith | Sep 11 2020
Tribute in Light is also a long-running study of bird behavior.
science, wildlife
Skyscrapers against a night sky as seen from below, with spotlights on all sides meeting in the center

What Does It Mean to Defund the Police?

By Heather Smith | Jun 17 2020
There are many ideas of what “Defund the police” looks like
politics, equity
Group of protestors at a #BlackLivesMatter rally

How to Build Diverse Coalitions

By Heather Smith | May 6 2020
Advice from people who’ve actually built diverse coalitions on how to do it yourself
politics, environmental justice
Arial shot of protestors on the Washington Mall for the 1968 Poor People's Campaign

Tips From a Texas DA on Fighting Pollution Locally

By Heather Smith | May 2 2020
It helps to have the state on your side, but you can get a lot done with your neighbors
water, air, politics, dirty energy
image of a smokestack between a grove of trees

Is This Why Detroiters Are Dying From the Coronavirus?

By Heather Smith | Apr 25 2020
Why did it take a pandemic to turn Detroit’s water back on?
coronavirus, environmental justice

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