One of the most wonderful people I've met as a climate journalist died this year. But Shelton Kokeok, like everyone in Shishmaref, lives on through his name
John, I love how your reporting always includes how climate affects the people, and that the people are really the true story when it comes to climate change. Not to be human-centric, since obviously all life depends on the delicate balance, but when it comes to reporting and getting that reporting out and into people's emotions (where it counts), it's the people stories that get in there. As someone who has been aware of the need to protect earth since I was a mere highschool nerd in the '80s, who went on to study geology, geography, soils and water resources, I feel like I just had a paradigm shift with that realization in the moment. We can produce all the data, all the proof, but we are so self-focused as a species that we need people stories. So keep going.
thanks so much, jen! i really appreciate this. it's an emotional story and you're right that it's rare that we really dig into that and feel it in a full-spectrum sorta way
This is beautifully wrought, John, and I'm happy to see Baseline revive and hope the film project is going well amid all. As time flows on and journalists who dare circle back to check what's been left behind, heartache is inevitable, but so are other feelings. Your name is also likely to live on in Shishmaref because of the sensitive and caring work you did there.
That's such a kind thing to say, Andy. Means the world to me. As does your support on so many of my projects! Really appreciate you taking time to engage with this / share it
Made me cry — not just for Shelton, and for you and everyone who knew him. I hate what we humans have done to this planet, and I hate politicians and others who claim that climate change is a “hoax.” (That word makes me SO angry.)
Thank you for sharing Shelton and his family with us.
Wonderful story about Shelton and the tradition of living on. You were blessed to know Shelton and to share his wisdom and love of Shishmaref and the life he had there n such an original place.
John, I love how your reporting always includes how climate affects the people, and that the people are really the true story when it comes to climate change. Not to be human-centric, since obviously all life depends on the delicate balance, but when it comes to reporting and getting that reporting out and into people's emotions (where it counts), it's the people stories that get in there. As someone who has been aware of the need to protect earth since I was a mere highschool nerd in the '80s, who went on to study geology, geography, soils and water resources, I feel like I just had a paradigm shift with that realization in the moment. We can produce all the data, all the proof, but we are so self-focused as a species that we need people stories. So keep going.
thanks so much, jen! i really appreciate this. it's an emotional story and you're right that it's rare that we really dig into that and feel it in a full-spectrum sorta way
This is beautifully wrought, John, and I'm happy to see Baseline revive and hope the film project is going well amid all. As time flows on and journalists who dare circle back to check what's been left behind, heartache is inevitable, but so are other feelings. Your name is also likely to live on in Shishmaref because of the sensitive and caring work you did there.
That's such a kind thing to say, Andy. Means the world to me. As does your support on so many of my projects! Really appreciate you taking time to engage with this / share it
Thanks for helping stretch all of our memories, friend. Rest well, Shelton. So glad to see Baseline back up and running 💛
Love this story! So glad to see your writing here again.
Thank you so much, Linda! Glad to be writing here again :)
Made me cry — not just for Shelton, and for you and everyone who knew him. I hate what we humans have done to this planet, and I hate politicians and others who claim that climate change is a “hoax.” (That word makes me SO angry.)
Thank you for sharing Shelton and his family with us.
Thank you, Maggie
Happy birthday, Shelton. And welcome to the world, Wade! What a poignant story, John. I’m so glad you got to tell it.
Thank you, KHG! Miss ya, friend
Wonderful story about Shelton and the tradition of living on. You were blessed to know Shelton and to share his wisdom and love of Shishmaref and the life he had there n such an original place.
Thank you, John, for this touching story.