The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards, renowned for acknowledging environmental advocates and leaders, celebrated 12 journalists globally this year for their exceptional contributions to environmental journalism​​.

The two first-time winners demonstrated excellence in uncovering critical environmental stories, often navigating complex and challenging scenarios to bring vital news to the forefront.

Exceptional environmental journalism from nature’s frontline

Hans and Max’s commitment to exposing crucial environmental issues goes beyond mere reporting to uncover nature’s nuances. Their work makes a profound impact on the global environmental discourse.

Hans Nicholas Jong

Hans’ reporting has been pivotal in highlighting key environmental issues specific to Indonesia.

“Being an environmental journalist can sometimes be challenging, with threats to media workers’ freedom growing by the day,” he says. “Receiving the SEAL award helps me keep going since it shows my reporting at Mongabay is noticed and appreciated. Therefore, I’m truly grateful to receive the award, which wouldn’t be possible without the support of the dedicated and passionate team of journalists and co-workers at Mongabay.”

Here are some of Hans’ highlights from 2023:

• Jakarta snags ‘most polluted’ title as air quality plunges and officials dither
• Indonesia’s coal burning hits record high — and ‘green’ nickel is largely why
• Why did the orangutan cross the toll road to Indonesia’s new capital city?
• Report: Indonesia’s ‘food estate’ program repeating failures of past projects
• In Sumatra, increased orangutan sightings point to growing threats to the apes

Maxwell Radwin

Through his commitment to independent journalism, Max’s reporting has played a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental concerns specific to Latin America.

“It really is an honor to receive this award. Most importantly, it gives me even more drive to keep reporting on these urgent environmental issues,” he says. “It’s nice to see my name among the list of winners, but there have been so many people behind the scenes at Mongabay who have helped plan, strategize, and edit the work that I’ve done this year. It’s really a team effort, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Here are some of Max’s highlights from 2023:

• Suriname preparing to clear Amazon for agriculture, documents suggest
• Is El Salvador preparing to reverse its landmark mining ban?
• Plan to bring Mennonite farmers to Suriname sparks deforestation fears
• Mexico’s Tren Maya, hotel construction clears forest reserve without permits
• In Panama, an indigenous kingdom fights for its right to the forest

The vital role of environmental journalism

“It’s wonderful that the 2023 SEAL Environmental Journalism Awards have honored Hans and Max for their consistently excellent reporting on issues at nature’s frontline. While both have a regional focus, the issues they cover affect all of humanity. This award is a well-deserved recognition of their fine work,” says Mongabay founder and CEO Rhett Butler.

Mongabay’s continued commitment to quality journalism

Mongabay is incredibly proud of Hans and Max for their outstanding achievements and unwavering dedication to environmental journalism. Thanks to their successes, Mongabay continues to fulfill our mission to improve understanding of the global-scale forces undermining the health of Earth’s systems, while also making science accessible and elevating the voices of people directly impacted by environmental change.