The New York Times: Our next climate editor

Lyndsey Layton

Climate change is a major issue of our time, especially now as the planet approaches temperature levels that scientists consider the point of no return, and people around the world are confronting extreme weather and intensifying risks.

The editor overseeing our coverage needs to deeply understand policy, be nimble and collaborative to work with desks across the newsroom and see the possibilities for storytelling with multiple formats.

We’re thrilled to announce that Lyndsey Layton, who has all these qualities and more, is our next editor for Climate.

Since joining us in 2021, Lyndsey has been a critical deputy on the desk. She’s directed our climate policy and politics coverage during dramatic swings from the first Trump administration to the Biden administration, and now back again to Trump, as he goes even further to dismantle environmental and climate efforts. She’s strengthened the desk’s fast-twitch muscles, leading reporters to break more news. And she’s shepherded countless ambitious projects, from exploring the climate-driven collapse of the home insurance industry to collaborating with the Business desk on the clean energy transition to showcasing environmental solutions in 50 States, 50 Fixes.

“I was lucky to work next to Lyndsey for four years, and she impressed me every day with her news instincts and excellence,” said Hannah Fairfield. “As the effects of climate change continue to expand, so will the Climate desk’s coverage, under her leadership.”

In the eight years since it was established, our Climate desk has produced unmatched coverage of the climate and environment — helping readers understand not only the impact of climate change, but also the underlying policies and potential solutions. We’ve expanded to more than two dozen people, reported from every continent and pushed the boundaries of visual journalism. Lyndsey brings ambitious ideas about continuing the desk’s story form innovation, expanding its coverage and producing strong, independent journalism about climate.

Lyndsey joined The Times after 23 years at The Washington Post, where she worked as the deputy editor on the climate and environment team. In that position, she oversaw much of the daily report, handled breaking news and led Climate Solutions, a powerful visual series. Before that, Lyndsey was a metro politics editor at the Post, as well as a national reporter.

A former triathlete, Lyndsey has participated in the NYCTri twice — she says the Hudson River is surprisingly refreshing. These days, because of a foot injury, she mainly bikes and swims.

Please join us in congratulating Lyndsey.