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.
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Latest from Anna Phillips

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

How the nation’s driest state is using cash to free up water

Nevada is testing out a pilot program that encourages farmers to retire their water rights in an effort to reduce over-drafting of precious groundwater.

July 19, 2024
Crops in Diamond Valley near Eureka, Nev., on June 12.

The U.S. has a plan to protect workers from heat. Employers are fighting it.

A Post analysis finds that 500,000 agricultural workers and 4.3 million construction workers nationwide could be affected by the OSHA proposal, if it is finalized.

July 11, 2024

Extreme heat has killed at least 28 in the past week — and the toll is rising

Most of the heat-related deaths have been reported along the west coast in California and Oregon, but high temperatures have caused deaths as far east as Maryland.

July 10, 2024
People use a misting tent outside of Blanchet House in downtown Portland, Ore., as a heat wave continues Monday, July 8, 2024.

OSHA proposes rule to protect workers exposed to extreme heat

The proposal comes as workers face risks from rising temperatures fueled by climate change. Biden has issued an order to prevent workplace heat deaths.

July 2, 2024
Construction worker Daren True drinks water as temperatures soar in Metro Atlanta on Monday, June 24, 2024.

How ruinous floods put Vermont at the forefront of the climate battle

Vermont has enacted the first state law requiring fossil fuel firms to pay for damages caused by climate change. Will it survive a near-certain legal challenge?

June 14, 2024
A small tractor clears water from a business as floodwaters block a street in Barre, Vt. on July 12, 2023.