Canopy Tree Project
Does Investigative Journalism Make a Difference? 3 Stories That Prove It Does
November 18, 2025
If you’re looking for some good planet-facing news this week—just as COP30 moves into its second week in Belém, Brazil—consider checking out our new series, Underreported Earth: “Tree Tales.” The IG trail is HERE.
Moderated by The Guardian’s Tracy McVeigh, three Pulitzer Center–supported investigative journalists reveal how they uncovered powerful stories about deforestation and conservation in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They discuss how each story made a difference and drove real impact.
It’s important to highlight this critically important reporting and shine a light on how investigative journalism matters now, perhaps more than ever. By supporting these journalists, the Pulitzer Center has helped to lift up not only great reporting teams but, in the process, has played a part in protecting important forest ecosystems. It’s been a pleasure working with them on this project, alongside Tracy McVeigh from The Guardian, and we hope that the episodes continue to drive impact.
Tom Cosgrove, Chief Creative & Content Officer, EARTHDAY.ORG
Ana Bottallo (Brazil)
Science and Health reporter for Folha de São Paulo, Ana Bottallo shares how she left a career in biological science to pursue journalism. We learn what led her to the mangrove forests of northern Brazil —and how predatory fishing practices are putting them at risk.
Brazil is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world… We are touched by the Amazon forest because it covers a large part of our territory, but we also have five other biomes. The preservation of species and the environment is crucial, not only to us who live here, but to the rest of the world, because of all the services these ecosystems provide.
Ana Bottallo
During her investigation, she found that Indigenous communities are leading the fight to protect these vital forests—yet their voices were not being heard. Her reporting helped spotlight their efforts, traditions, and role in conservation. Afterward, government agencies and Indigenous communities began collaborating, and new protections were implemented for the mangroves.
They are now protected, and they cannot be fished or collected or hunted in nature. These are some of the impacts that this new legislation has on the mangrove areas.
Ana Bottallo
Elisângela Mendonça (Brazil/UK)
Brazilian journalist Elisângela Mendonça, formerly with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) and now with Global Witness, traveled deep into the Amazon to investigate how beef farming —driven not just by the meat industry but also by the booming global collagen market—is accelerating deforestation. She captured firsthand footage of illegal ranches encroaching on Indigenous land and clearing forests to create pasture.
Forests are non-negotiable infrastructure for a livable planet. You can’t simply ignore that they need to be preserved if we want to meet global climate targets.
Elisângela Mendonça
Her reporting had an impact: one major corporation vowed to stop buying from a supplier implicated in the investigation. She also encourages consumers to remain vigilant about the origins of collagen products.
I remember visiting an Indigenous community… We were taken to a central area of the land where it was far more preserved than surrounding areas. There were butterflies everywhere, the air was fresh, the temperature was different. This close contact with nature is not only inspiring but a vital reminder of why we need to preserve forests for a more balanced climate.
Elisângela Mendonça
Josephine Moulds (UK)
London-based journalist Josephine Moulds, reporting for TBIJ, recounts her reporting trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo to cover the government’s fossil fuel drilling auctions — auctions that threaten the Congo Basin rainforest.
Josephine spent three weeks in the DRC, meeting with local communities who had not been consulted about the auctions or their potential impacts on their lives and the rainforest.
You’re in the rainforest and the nature is so big and vivid—bamboo as thick as tree trunks, trees 30 to 50 meters high, a beautiful green canopy above. Knowing this is one of the most important carbon sinks in the world… it feels good and hopeful and important to be doing work that helps protect this landscape.
Josephine Moulds
Spanning six countries and covering 1.7 million square miles, the Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest rainforest. Yet it faces increasing pressure from logging, agriculture, and now fossil fuel drilling. Josephine’s reporting uncovered two major stories: evidence of a government minister rigging the auction, and the crucial role of Indigenous communities fighting to protect their ancestral forest.
The new hydrocarbons minister has launched a new auction across an even greater area. A small win is that the blocks have been drawn so they don’t cover some of the most important protected ecosystems in DRC. But there is definitely more reporting to be done.
Josephine Moulds
We hope all three stories inspire discussion, as they exemplify journalism’s essential role in driving environmental awareness and positive change—and remind us why defending forests matters everywhere.
These conversations will be livestreamed by EARTHDAY.ORG on our YouTube, Facebook, and X accounts on November 17-19 at 1:00pm EST, then available for on-demand viewing. Facebook: Ep.1, Ep.2, Ep.3 and YouTube: Ep.1, Ep.2, Ep.3.
Speak up for trees in whatever forum you can, be they trees in your local community or by supporting the work of those defending the forests of Brazil, the Congo and beyond. If you would like to support EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission further – please consider donating to our Canopy Tree Project today and if you found useful information in this article, make sure to sign up for our email list to get the latest news. Plus, please consider becoming an EARTHDAY.ORGvolunteer. We can make a difference – get educated, get inspired, get involved!
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