Circle of Blue’s reporting resonates far beyond our newsroom. Our stories, data, and expert insights are featured and cited by major media outlets, academic institutions, and thought leaders worldwide. See where our journalism is sparking conversation, shaping coverage, and deepening public understanding of the world’s water challenges.
In the News
New Collaboration Brings Real-Time Water Intelligence and Frontline Journalism to U.S. Communities
(November 11, 2025) — True Elements, a leader in digital water data intelligence, and Circle of Blue, which uniquely combines front-line journalism, data contextualization and convening solutions around water challenges, today announced a collaboration to create a new…
Matt Black Honored with MacArthur Fellowship
Photojournalists speak of their “duty to see” — their commitment to capture decisive moments that stir empathy, reveal truth, and inspire hope.
We congratulate Matt Black, a Circle of Blue contributing photographer, for being one of the 22 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship honorees this year. Matt received the $800,000 award that is attached to the famous Genius Grant for “chronicling the impacts of inequality and hardship on people and places.”
Circle of Blue identified Matt’s exquisite and influential photography more than a decade ago and featured his striking images of California’s Central Valley for our award-winning multimedia Choke Point: Index project. Photographs for that project were featured in “The Dry Land” photo spread published by the New Yorker magazine. The New York Times also noted Black’s photographs of the Central Valley drought.
We celebrate Matt for sharing our mission to see clearly, tell deeply, and connect the world through water.
Circle of Blue and Northwestern University Host “Designing Water’s Future: Urgent Strategies for a Water Insecure World”
Water is the tip of the spear for many of the world’s greatest challenges. Yet the water sector faces…
World Economic Forum Appoints Circle of Blue Managing Director to its Global Future Council on the Future of the Energy Nexus
GENEVA (January 16, 2025) — The World Economic Forum (WEF) has appointed Circle of Blue Managing Director J. Carl…
MacArthur Foundation Awards Circle of Blue Three-Year Grant
Actions on water and climate today will define whether economies and environmental systems thrive or fail. Through its systemic…
Explorers Club Names J. Carl Ganter a Fellow, Recognizing Contributions to Freshwater Research, Conservation and Journalism
Circle of Blue co-founder joins roster of explorers who have “inspired many of the world’s greatest discoveries” as water…
Reporter Wins Award for His Work on Choke Point: Tamil Nadu
Sibi Arasu honored for his reporting on the environment, including two articles from the Choke Point: Tamil Nadu series.
Circle of Blue’s Brett Walton Honored By Society of Environmental Journalists
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – During his seven years as Circle of Blue’s west coast correspondent Brett Walton’s reporting has…
“Choke Point: China” Findings Cited in Congressional Hearing
Choke Point: China findings presented at Congressional hearing.
You Could’ve Read It Here
Keith Schneider
Trump’s Budget Would Devastate Sea Lamprey Control in Great Lakes
Brett Walton
Hidden Flood Risk for San Francisco Bay Area Communities Lurks Underground
Brett Walton’s 2020 investigation uncovered a hidden danger beneath U.S. coasts: rising groundwater threatening homes, infrastructure, and public health. Now, that reporting is helping shape action in Washington. The bipartisan Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act would task the U.S. Geological Survey with mapping groundwater rise through 2100 and recommending solutions to protect communities before it’s too late. Read the story today.
