Heather Smith

Heather Smith is the former science editor at Sierra.

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

The research happening at Tribute in Light

By Heather Smith September 11, 2020

In this story: 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?

What once seemed politically impossible is now happening

By Heather Smith June 17, 2020

In this story: politics, equity

Group of protestors at a #BlackLivesMatter rally

5 Must-Read Novels for Your COVID Quarantine Book Club

These absorbing stories get you thinking more deeply about our troubled world

By Jonathan Hahn , Katie O'Reilly , Heather Smith , Ashia Ajani , Krista Karlson May 16, 2020

In this story: books, coronavirus

How to Build Diverse Coalitions

Don’t be afraid to talk about racism

By Heather Smith May 6, 2020

In this story: 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

A law is a law is a law

By Heather Smith May 2, 2020

In this story: water, air, politics, dirty energy

image of a smokestack between a grove of trees

Is This Why Detroiters Are Dying From the Coronavirus?

Why did it take a pandemic to turn Detroit’s water back on?

By Heather Smith April 25, 2020

In this story: coronavirus, environmental justice, racial justice

All Politics Is Still Local

Changing the world from the bottom up starts with knowing your neighbors

By Heather Smith April 29, 2020

Illustration shows the power of small governmental actions: A woman talks to three other people, and those people talk to five people and that group speaks toward the sky.

The Science of Staying Safe

Stay quarantined, wear a mask, treat yourself good

By Heather Smith March 31, 2020

In this story: science, health, politics, coronavirus

The Person Who Controls the Camera Creates History

A kite that can harvest wind power, made possible by Ninja X video skills

Adapted from an interview by Heather Smith February 27, 2020

In this story: renewable energy, clean energy, wind

Andrea Dunlap, multimedia archivist at Makani Technologies

Are Bumblebees Going Extinct?

Plenty of bad news, plenty of hope

By Heather Smith February 6, 2020

In this story: science, agriculture, climate change

Bumblebee soars over yellow flower against green background