July 21, 2026

Lois Parshley is an independent journalist whose reporting focuses on climate change, environmental science, global health, and human rights. Her work has appeared in numerous national and international publications, where she combines science reporting with human storytelling.
Through reporting from vulnerable and often underrepresented communities, Parshley helps readers understand how weather, climate, and environmental change shape people’s lives around the world. She received the 2026 AMS Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences for translating complex Earth system science into compelling journalism that illuminates climate impacts on vulnerable populations.
The Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences recognizes outstanding journalism that makes atmospheric and related sciences accessible, engaging, and meaningful to the public across all media platforms. The award honors reporting that places scientific discoveries and events into broader context while demonstrating excellence in communicating the relevance of weather, water, and climate science to society.
AMS Headlines spoke with Parshley about the significance of her work and what the award means to her.

Congratulations on receiving the 2026 AMS Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences. What was your reaction when you learned you had been selected?
I was deeply honored and genuinely surprised. An award like this feels like recognition of the importance of explaining how science affects people’s lives every day.
The award recognizes your ability to translate Earth system science into impactful reporting. What draws you to stories at the intersection of science and people’s lived experiences?
My hope is always to explain how science impacts people’s daily realities. As the Trump administration dismisses experts, cuts research funding, and ignores perils, I see journalism’s job as holding leaders accountable and centering the people these policies leave behind.
Your reporting often highlights communities that are underrepresented in mainstream coverage. Why is it important to elevate these voices when covering weather, climate, and environmental change?
Climate change is affecting everyone, but the communities experiencing the earliest or most severe impacts are often the same that have historically received the least attention or resources—and contributed the least to emissions. People living on the front lines of environmental change are also often the first to notice shifts in seasons, wildlife, water availability, or weather patterns. Their experiences can help guide better questions and better science.
Science journalism requires balancing technical accuracy with compelling storytelling. How do you approach making complex scientific topics accessible without oversimplifying them?
I try to start by asking what does someone need to know to understand why this research is important?
You’ve reported on climate impacts in many different regions. Was there one story or reporting experience that fundamentally changed your understanding of climate change?
Even in the relatively short span of my career, I’ve witnessed climate impacts become more frequent and more severe. Yet I still often hear climate change inaccurately framed as a future problem. The reality is that in many places, these impacts are already immediate issues. 
How do you build trust with scientists and the communities you report on, particularly when covering sensitive or difficult topics?
Trust starts with listening. Scientists and communities are both experts in different ways, and good reporting requires respecting both forms of knowledge. I think it’s important to remember that people I speak to as a journalist aren’t simply sources—they are people whose lives are being affected, sometimes in traumatic ways. That means spending time to make sure I’m treating them the way I would want to be treated, and that the final story reflects their experiences and feelings accurately.
Climate reporting can sometimes leave audiences feeling overwhelmed. How do you strive to inform readers while also helping them stay engaged with these issues?
I think people need honesty about the scale of challenges, but they also need context. Climate change is a major problem, and readers deserve to understand the risks, but they also deserve to understand the choices still available, and to have a record of who is making them.
What role do you believe science journalists play in strengthening public understanding of weather, water, and climate science?
In a time when misinformation can spread quickly, careful explanation matters. Public understanding of science is not just about knowing facts—it is about understanding how we know what we know. 
What advice would you offer to early-career journalists who want to pursue science and environmental reporting?
Spend time reporting locally. Some of the most important environmental stories are happening in communities that do not usually receive national attention.
Is there anything else you’d like AMS members to know about the importance of science journalism in today’s rapidly changing world?
Science journalism matters because the questions we ask as a society depend on the information we have available. The work of scientists and the work of journalists are deeply connected. Scientists help us understand what is happening; journalists ideally help ensure that knowledge reaches the people who need it.
© copyright 2026 American Meteorological Society
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