The CEJ was established in 1992 by the Journalism and Mass Communication program at the University of Colorado Boulder to enrich public understanding of environmental issues by elevating the quality, range, and depth of coverage by journalists. The Center does this by helping seasoned and emerging journalists enhance their knowledge of the scientific, economic, political, and social aspects of these issues.

The CEJ focuses on the professional development of working journalists, student education, and research on media, environment and society. To that end, the Ted Scripps Fellowships serves as a lynchpin, bringing working journalists to campus for a full academic year. And for students, the CEJ offers a master's degree with an emphasis in environmental journalism as well as a doctoral community for students interested in researching media and the environment, media and scientific communication, risk communication, and corollary fields.

In the heart of Boulder, the CEJ draws on a rich pool of knowledge and expertise in environmental issues. The University of Colorado is recognized internationally as one of the world's leading centers for environmental inquiry, with researchers working within the physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, environmental design, law, and public health.

Journalists and students affiliated with the CEJ benefit from the on-campus presence of such world-class institutions as the Center for Science and Technology Policy ResearchCooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences; National Snow and Ice Data CenterInstitute of Arctic and Alpine ResearchEnvironmental Studies ProgramNatural Hazards Center; and the Natural Resources Law Center. Nearby are 14 federal research institutes, including the National Center for Atmospheric ResearchNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

No other place in the world can boast a greater concentration of environmental expertise and knowledge than Boulder. The wealth of these resources makes the CEJ an ideal place for working journalists, researchers, and student journalists to expand their knowledge and improve their abilities to report on environmental issues for the public, and to understand the connections between media, environment, and society.