Value proposition

Covering ecology, justice, and culture in the American South

In the age of the Anthropocene, the American South faces vast and complex ecological challenges. This region stands to bear the brunt and lose the most from the effects of climate change. It is experiencing massive economic shifts as the nation shifts away from fossil fuels. It is the fastest urbanizing area of the U.S., but it is also home to some of the most economically distressed communities — a trend that is expected to continue. Southerners deserve a publication that covers the nuances of their environment, history, and communities without being condescending or stereotypical, without parachuting in from large metropolitan areas. The rest of the world deserves to know about the creative ways communities here are adapting to these changes, and how those in economic and political power are responding to either move the region forward or maintain the status quo.

Southerly is an independent, non-profit media organization that covers the intersection of ecology, justice, and culture in the American South. Through in-depth journalism and engagement in the communities we cover, we explore and analyze the relationship between Southern communities and their natural environments. By reporting on these issues in a well-rounded and accurate way, Southerly informs readers — whether they’re along the Atlantic coast, in the hollers of Appalachia, on Tennessee farmland, in the Mississippi Delta, or outside of the South — so that they can make informed decisions about our changing region.

environmental justice, American South, Culture, Ecology, and Justice