Pulitzer Prize finalist Rosanna Xia visited the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, sharing her climate reporting expertise through sea level rise field tours, engaging storytelling workshops, and an inspiring public lecture.

Acclaimed environmental journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Rosanna Xia recently visited the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to share her expertise in climate reporting with students and researchers. During her stay in January, organized by the Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, Xia connected with PhD students studying sea level rise and toured several vulnerable coastal hotspots across the island, discussing both the challenges and potential strategies for addressing this critical issue.
In addition to these field discussions, Xia led a workshop titled “Crafting Compelling Stories: Lessons from a Pulitzer Prize Finalist” for journalism students in the JOUR 330 class. Emphasizing the importance of intention, ownership, and responsibility in narrative building, she taught students how to integrate technical language with vivid, human-centered details. Her public lecture, “Telling the Story of Sea Level Rise: Lessons from a Los Angeles Times Reporter,” concluded the visit, leaving the audience inspired by her innovative approach to connecting science and humanity in the face of climate change.
Xia is an environmental reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where she specializes in stories about the coast and ocean. She was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2020 for explanatory reporting, and her work has been anthologized in the Best American Science and Nature Writing series.
FULL STORY: Pulitzer finalist shares climate reporting insights at UH Mānoa

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie