Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Brad Plumer

Brad Plumer

Former Senior Editor

    Latest articles by Brad Plumer

    Business & Finance
    Oil prices crashed, but US output is still rising. How long can that last?Oil prices crashed, but US output is still rising. How long can that last?
    Business & Finance

    You would think low prices would throttle America’s oil industry. Surprisingly, that hasn’t happened yet.

    By Brad Plumer
    Science
    The world’s fisheries are stagnating — but fish farming is at record highsThe world’s fisheries are stagnating — but fish farming is at record highs
    Science

    Virtually all of the increase in global fish production since the 1990s has come from fish farms.

    By Brad Plumer
    World Politics
    The disturbing history of pilots who deliberately crash their own planesThe disturbing history of pilots who deliberately crash their own planes
    World Politics

    It’s very rare, but it can be horrific when it happens.

    By Brad Plumer
    Science
    Will the Supreme Court block Obama’s big crackdown on coal plants?Will the Supreme Court block Obama’s big crackdown on coal plants?
    Science

    Obama’s rule on mercury pollution is one of his biggest environmental moves so far. SCOTUS is now debating its fate.

    By Brad Plumer
    Science
    How Costa Rica went 75 days without using fossil fuels for electricityHow Costa Rica went 75 days without using fossil fuels for electricity
    Science

    It’s a great story. But it’ll be difficult for other countries to do.

    By Brad Plumer
    Science
    The Atlantic Ocean circulation may already be slowing down. That’s not good.The Atlantic Ocean circulation may already be slowing down. That’s not good.
    Science

    This could have big effects on everything from fisheries to sea-level rise to weather in Europe.

    By Brad Plumer
    Climate
    Obama’s controversial new fracking rules, explainedObama’s controversial new fracking rules, explained
    Climate

    These are the first new federal standards on fracking in more than 30 years.

    By Brad Plumer
    Science
    Arctic sea ice hit a record low this winter. Here’s why it matters.Arctic sea ice hit a record low this winter. Here’s why it matters.
    Science

    As the world heats up, the Arctic’s vast expanse of floating sea ice keeps shrinking.

    By Brad Plumer
    Politics
    Can water markets help solve the American West’s water crisis?Can water markets help solve the American West’s water crisis?
    Politics

    Water is underpriced and hard to change. Changing that could increase incentives for conservation.

    By Brad Plumer
    Climate
    Obama orders federal agencies to cut carbon emissions 40% within 10 yearsObama orders federal agencies to cut carbon emissions 40% within 10 years
    Climate

    Obama will also urge agencies to get up to 25 percent of their electricity from carbon-free sources.

    By Brad Plumer