io9 Is Offering $4,000 for Great Environmental Writing

Here's a rare chance to make some money writing—and help spread useful ideas at the same time: The blog io9, a Gawker Media publication that focuses on science, science fiction, and the future, is holding a contest for the best environmental writing.

They say they're "looking for stories that deal with environmental disaster, whether caused by random asteroid impacts or oil drilling accidents." Science fiction and nonfiction pieces are both welcome, and one winner in each category will get a $2,000 prize. The panel of judges includes Elizabeth Kolbert, the environmental writer for The New Yorker.

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Why an environmental writing contest? Well, as Annalee Newitz, the site's editor, writes "we can't prevent environmental disasters without preparing for them." The contest aims to make the lessons of past, future, and even fictional environmental disasters more vivid for policy-makers, researchers, and everyday readers, so they can start thinking seriously about solutions.

The deadline for entry is December 11; the specifics are here. Kudos to io9 for inspiring great new environmental writing online. We hope they publish more than just the two winners.