Anna Phillips

Washington, D.C.

National reporter focusing on climate change

Education: Columbia University, BA in American history

Anna Phillips is a national reporter for the Washington Post, covering how climate change is transforming daily life — including Americans' homes, food and health. She previously covered environmental policy for the Los Angeles Times and was a courts and local government reporter for the Tampa Bay Times.
Latest from Anna Phillips

Why the Tampa Bay area is especially vulnerable as Hurricane Milton nears

As the booming region faces the possibility of a direct hit from a major hurricane, the risks from storm surge are severe.

October 7, 2024
Even though it made landfall much farther north, Hurricane Helene caused major damage to Pinellas County's barrier island communities, such as this apartment building on Treasure Island.

How Hurricane Helene could have widespread consequences for homeowners

Although it is too early to know the full extent of Helene’s damage, experts said the storm could have major consequences for homeowners, the private insurance industry and the federal flood insurance program.

September 29, 2024
Megan Kessler wades through storm surge flooding in Gulfport, Fla. as Hurricane Helene passed through on Thursday.

California governor vetoes bill to require gas stove warning labels

The bill’s supporters had hoped to steer customers away from gas-burning ranges that could could expose them to nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants.

September 28, 2024
Gas stoves emit harmful air pollutants, which has prompted warning labels to be placed on the appliances.

These six places saw their worst storm surge ever during Helene

Six coastal towns and cities on Florida’s Gulf Coast — which is especially vulnerable to storm-driven flooding — broke storm surge records during Hurricane Helene, according to data analyzed by The Post.

September 28, 2024

Is plastic recycling beyond fixing? Here’s why California thinks so.

California’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil says plastic recycling is broken. The oil giant agrees, but blames the state.

September 24, 2024
A man walks under towers of recyclables at a GDB International warehouse in Monmouth Junction, N.J. Recycling is often sent to sorting centers where it is separated by color and material.

Why schools are ripping up playgrounds across the U.S.

As extreme heat worsens, schools nationwide are increasingly replacing asphalt playgrounds with green, cooler spaces.

September 14, 2024
Aerial photos of the Bethune schoolyard in Philadelphia. The Trust for Public Land teamed up with local partners to revamp the schoolyard, transforming it from nearly an acre of asphalt to a community space.

These states tried, and failed, to cut food waste. One succeeded.

A study of five states’ food waste bans found that most had no effect — except Massachusetts.

September 12, 2024
Food waste material at a community compost cooperative. Massachusetts was successful in reducing landfill waste through food waste bans.

Why Kamala Harris has embraced America’s oil boom

Tuesday’s debate barely touched on the subject of climate change. But when it did, Harris embraced oil production.

September 11, 2024
A shale gas well drilling site in St. Marys, Pa., in 2020. Under the Biden administration, new leases for fracking were approved.

What you need to know about e-bikes in national parks

After years of legal battles and debate, the National Park Service has decided to treat e-bikes more like regular bicycles than motorized vehicles.

August 28, 2024
Two e-bikers travel to Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colo.

When it’s too hot to work

As temperatures soar to record levels, millions of people in the United States work in jobs that expose them to deadly heat. A new federal proposal could change that. So why are some employers fighting the changes?

July 29, 2024