Marc Fawcett-Atkinson

Reporter Vancouver English

food security, Agriculture, fishing, toxins, shell fish industry, farming, climate change

About Marc Fawcett-Atkinson

Marc Fawcett-Atkinson is a reporter and writer covering food, climate, plastics and the environment for Canada’s National Observer.

His ongoing investigations of the plastic industry in Canada won him a nomination from the Webster Awards this year in environmental reporting.

Marc has previously written for High Country News, the Literary Review of Canada, and other publications on topics exploring relationships between people and their social and physical environments.

He holds an M.A. in journalism from the University of British Columbia and a B.A. in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic.

Marc's reporting on food security and agriculture is highly valued by farmers and the academics who study agriculture as unique in Canada.

234 Articles

Days when I’m worn thin by the climate crisis, I try to recall the joy of Yves and Céline’s farm

Céline Caron and Yves Tessier devoted their lives to protecting soil health long before regenerative farming became mainstream.

Farming for the future

News, Food Insider | April 18th 2022

Regenerative agriculture can combat climate change and keep food on our plates. Here’s how it works

The past decade has seen exploding interest in an approach to farming focused on soil health called regenerative agriculture, which proponents say can help fix the climate crisis. The problem? No one agrees on what regenerative agriculture actually means.

Farming for the future

Explainer, Food Insider | April 4th 2022

How to check who’s posting ads to your local Facebook page

Earlier this month, a Canada's National Observer investigation uncovered links between a half-dozen self-professed grassroots Facebook pages across the country and Canada Proud founder Jeff Ballingall, a prominent right-wing political strategist, and his associates. Here's a quick guide for those who want to figure out who is running political ads on their community Facebook pages.

Democracy and Integrity Reporting Project

News, Politics | March 31st 2022

Feds inch closer to making social media less toxic

Canada could soon see stricter rules to tackle disinformation, hate speech and other harmful content on social media and online platforms.

Democracy and Integrity Reporting Project

News | March 31st 2022

Why Canada has a ways to go when it comes to fixing disinformation on Facebook

Helping Canadians protect themselves from misinformation will require stricter transparency rules for political advertisers on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, experts say.

Democracy and Integrity Reporting Project

Investigations | March 29th 2022

Joanna Kerr, CEO of the MakeWay Foundation, hopes that Scott's $18.9-million unrestricted donation will inspire others to donate in a similar fashion. Photo by Jimmy Jeong / Canada's National Observer

Canadian foundation with climate justice focus receives $18.9M from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott of Amazon fame

Joanna Kerr, CEO of the MakeWay Foundation, was alone in her Toronto office when she received news American philanthropist MacKenzie Scott had decided to give $18.9 million to the environmental and social justice organization.

News | March 23rd 2022

Anatomy of our investigation into Facebook pages in Canada

A Canada's National Observer investigation has uncovered a network of at least a half-dozen self-professed grassroots Facebook pages linked to one of Canada's top right-wing communications strategists and his associates. Here's how.

Democracy and Integrity Reporting Project

Investigations | March 17th 2022

Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott in Squamish, B.C., March 4, 2022. Photo by Jimmy Jeong / Canada's National Observer

The surprising Canadian targets of right-wing political operatives masquerading as local grassroots groups

A Canada’s National Observer investigation has found ads run by at least a half-dozen supposedly local Facebook pages are linked to one of Canada's top right-wing communications strategists and his associates.

Democracy and Integrity Reporting Project

Investigations | March 17th 2022

Blockades at key border crossings between Canada and the U.S. are poised to leave Canadians facing shortages

Blockades at key border crossings between Canada and the U.S. are poised to leave Canadians facing shortages of produce, ketchup, and other essential items.

Food Insider

News, Food Insider | February 11th 2022

A toxic chemical commonly used in plastic products could soon be banned

A toxic chemical commonly used in plastic products and sunscreen could soon be banned under international law following a landmark UN decision that lays the groundwork for stricter rules on microplastic and other plastic pollution.

Canada's plastics problem

News, Food Insider | February 11th 2022