We are thrilled to announce that The Washington Post has been awarded a silver medal in the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards for our immersive exploration of how human activities have impacted Earth’s ancient climate through a single body of water. The award was given to a team of climate reporter Sarah Kaplan, climate graphics reporter Simon Ducroquet, photographer Bonnie Jo Mount, and designers Emily Wright and Frank Hulley-Jones.
“Hidden Beneath the Surface” employs interactive graphics, photography, video, and innovative design to tell the story of how scientists have identified Canada’s Crawford Lake as a critical marker for defining a new geological era known as the Anthropocene. Judges praised the piece for its use of multimedia in science journalism and its ability to help readers understand the lake’s history.
This article marks the beginning of The Post’s ongoing series, Unearthing the Future, which examines how evidence from Earth’s past can inform our approach to modern climate change. The project was led by editors Monica Ulmanu, Katie Zezima, Joe Moore, Amanda Voisard, and John Farrell.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards are among the most prestigious in science journalism, and this marks Sarah Kaplan’s second Kavli award. In 2020, she received a silver medal for her article, “The Storm Inside,” a poignant story about an early COVID-19 victim who became a significant case study for doctors fighting the virus.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Sarah, Simon, Bonnie Jo, Emily, and Frank.