Heather Smith

Heather Smith is the former science editor at Sierra.

4 Must-Read Books for Your Summer Reading List

These stories illuminate all we have to gain in a troubled world

By Jonathan Hahn , Jason Mark , Abe Musselman , Heather Smith August 8, 2021

In this story: books, climate change, wildlife, saving wild places

Can Farming Seaweed Put the Brakes on Climate Change?

Here's how it's supposed to work

By Heather Smith June 28, 2021

In this story: climate change

Infographic shows the process of growing kelp in the ocean to sink it for carbon sequestration.

The Spirit Bear

A secret creature comes to the forefront

By Heather Smith July 3, 2021

In this story: animals, science

A white black bear lies in a lush green forest eating a fleshy salmon.

Tear Gas, Meet Environmental Law

How the Trump administration may have (accidentally!) broken decades of scientific secrecy

By Heather Smith May 27, 2021

In this story: science, activism, politics, environmental justice, racial justice

A cloud of tear gas silhouetting human figures against a night sky in downtown Portland, OR

This Earth Day, Read Your Way to a Leaner, Greener Lifestyle

Sustainability guides—old and new—that inspire Sierra staffers

By Wendy Becktold , Jonathan Hahn , Katie O'Reilly , Paul Rauber , Heather Smith April 22, 2021

In this story: books, earth day

Rich Man, Big Tree

Taming the Garden is a fable for our era of vast inequity

By Heather Smith March 18, 2021

In this story: forests, politics, film, art

Very big tree on a barge sailing through a sea of calm blue water.

Meet the Land Salmon

Terrestrial fish farms are betting that improved technology will make them competitive

By Heather Smith January 2, 2021

In this story: 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.

The Future of Michigan’s Water Is at Stake

In the mitten state, it’s all about who has to pay

By Heather Smith October 29, 2020

People in face masks unloading bottles of water from a car and on to a red hand truck

Early Voting Is a Form of Resistance

Here's how to do it

By Heather Smith October 27, 2020

Preparing for Disaster While Making Electricity

Most microgrids run on diesel generators, but a solar microgrid makes its own fuel

By Heather Smith November 9, 2020

In this story: clean tech, clean energy

Infographic shows an aerial view of a solar array and EV charging station.