Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz

is the former creative director at YES!, where she directed artistic and visual components of YES! Magazine, and drove branding across the organization for nearly 15 years. She specializes in infographic research and design, and currently works with The Nation, in addition to YES! She previously worked at The Seattle Times, The Virginian-Pilot, Scripps Howard Newspapers, Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post, The Connecticut Post, The San Diego Tribune, The Honolulu Advertiser. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and currently serves on the board of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association. Tracy speaks English.

Articles By This Author

An illustrated landscape shows a bansai tree, savanna ant, construction equipment to clear-cut a forest, and riverbeds.

Issues

Stop Planting Trees

Long touted as an environmental panacea, mass tree planting can actually do more harm than good.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Aug 31, 2023

Social Justice

California Runs the Numbers on Reparations

A task force calculated how much Black residents should receive for systemic, state-sanctioned discrimination and ongoing harm.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 15, 2023

Economy

A Surprising Improvement in Health Coverage

Amid the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people who have health insurance actually rose, and has now hit record highs.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 1, 2023

Environment

How Regenerative Farming Heals the Soil

And makes healthier food than even organic farming.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Mar 31, 2023

Environment

The Return of the Monarchs

Recent counts of monarch butterflies returning to California have shown a promising rebound from endangerment.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Feb 24, 2023

Economy

Time Is Money: The True Cost of Commuting

Commuting time continues to grow, in effect reducing wages by more than 10%.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Feb 3, 2023

Economy

Divesting Money From Fossil Fuels

Over 10 years, trillions of dollars in assets have been extracted from global fossil fuels.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Dec 27, 2022

Social Justice

Where Racial Disparities Are Shrinking Fast … In Prisons

A big decrease in the incarceration rate of Black adults may lead to parity in the near future.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Nov 23, 2022

An infographic graphic showing blue sneakers and orange trunks cut by the the chart line.

Economy

An Unprecedented Halving of Child Poverty … Twice!

A historic drop in the child poverty rate over the past 25 years showed us exactly what to do when the pandemic hit.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Oct 17, 2022

An cover of the book - A story in data by Tracey Matsue Loeffelholz

Health & Happiness

You Know What Else Is Contagious? Good Health

An increasing amount of research shows that good health practices and outcomes can spread throughout a community, even outweighing the influence of immediate family members.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 8, 2022

Issues

The Great Resignation Is Actually a Great Reimagining by Workers

And it’s not over.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Aug 16, 2022

Issues

Energy, Housing, Food, Water: What’s a Fair Share?

What equitable resource distribution looks like.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Aug 10, 2021

Issues

Should I Wear Plants or Plastic?

Textiles are the second largest source of plastic waste.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 10, 2021

The First Giant Step? Unpackage

Plastic’s largest market is packaging.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 10, 2021

Issues

The 25% Tipping Point

New research reveals how to make social change.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Nov 3, 2020

An image showing map of US with green background and numbers over the states.

Environment

More Farmland Transitions to Organic

Growing interest in regenerative land practices and demand for organic food have led to consistent expansion of acres devoted to organic farming.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 15, 2020

Issues

How to Fund a Just Economic Recovery

The five principles of the “People's Bailout”.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 9, 2020

Economy

Why Bus Drivers Get Hazard Pay

The front lines include health care and emergency workers—and also the essential workers whose job it is to drive other essential workers where they need to be.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 8, 2020

Environment

Carbon Emissions Turned Back 10 Years

Data show coronavirus countermeasures have resulted in a record drop in fossil-fuel demand and created an opening for a clean-energy transition.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 2, 2020

Democracy

90% Don’t Want to Return to the Way We Were

What should happen in the aftermath of the coronavirus?

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Apr 30, 2020

Health & Happiness

A Simple, Low-Cost Way to Reduce Spread of Coronavirus

Research shows face masks are highly effective—but there aren't enough even for health care workers.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Apr 1, 2020

Health & Happiness

South Korea Reverses Coronavirus Rates

How did they do it? With extensive countermeasures such as free and quick testing, South Korea has slowed the spread of the virus and on March 14 reported more recoveries than new infections.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Mar 16, 2020

Economy

Public Banking Takes Hold

States and cities have introduced legislation to allow public banking.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Mar 12, 2020

Economy

How to Reduce Infection Rates

Flu infection rates dropped in cities that implemented mandatory paid sick leave.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Mar 9, 2020

Democracy

Predictions of Record Voting

Political interest is high— from the number of small-donor contributions made to presidential candidates to cable news viewership—signaling voter turnout may reach new heights in November.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Mar 5, 2020

Economy

Money to Pay for “Medicare for All” Is Right Here

We already spend that much on health care.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Feb 27, 2020

Issues

How Public Banks Benefit... the Public

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Feb 19, 2020

Issues

An Ancient Calendar Helps Me See Seasons Change Every Few Days

Climate change requires closer attention to the changes in our environment.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 24, 2019

Environment

Does Earth Really Have Too Many People?

A close look at the data reveals a clear path to survival.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 20, 2019

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Social Justice

What Abortion Bans and Easy Gun Access Have in Common

Where gun access gets easier and abortion access gets harder, women pay the price.

Lornet Turnbull, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Aug 28, 2019

Health & Happiness

What an American Terrorist Looks Like

Despite racist and anti-immigrant scapegoating, data show most American terrorists are resentful White men inspired by White supremacist and misogynist rhetoric.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Aug 14, 2019

Why “Radical” Travel?

Zenobia Jeffries Warfield, Lornet Turnbull, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jul 31, 2019

Issues

That All-Inclusive Vacation Is Actually a Terrible Deal

Especially for the people who live and work in the places you’re traveling.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jun 21, 2019

Issues

Infographic: How Mushrooms Clean Up Toxic Messes

Oil spills don’t stand a chance against the cleansing power of mycelium.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Apr 8, 2019

Introduction: The Good Money Issue

Chris Winters, Zenobia Jeffries Warfield, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jan 15, 2019

Issues

Here’s Enough Money to Pay Off All Millennials’ Student Debt

The largest intergenerational wealth transfer ever is on its way.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Nov 14, 2018

Issues

5 Myths We Need to Stop Believing About Mental Illness

How to reduce stigma in society? Check your facts.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Erin Sagen | Sep 13, 2018

A Home for Everyone

We asked readers what they wanted to see in our affordable housing issue. More than 3,000 of you responded. You wanted to know about community solutions — how cities are stopping gentrification, taking the greed out of development, and innovating ownership and financing models. You also told us that living in community was important — that maybe Americans had lost sight of that — and that multigenerational housing was a solution that could address the needs of an aging population along with those of a new generation of adults. This helped us decide what stories to put in the issue. Something else did, too.

Chris Winters, Shannan Lenke Stoll, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jul 24, 2018

Environment

How the Oil Industry Is Pushing Plastic

The fracking boom is flooding the world with Ziploc bags, ketchup packets, and single-use spoons.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Enkhbayar Munkh-Erdene | Jun 25, 2018

Issues

How to Save Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Heirlooms are irresistible, not just because they’re delicious, but because growing them defies capitalism.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jun 8, 2018

Issues

Infographic: Why Normal People Can’t Afford a House

The U.S. is better at subsidizing wealthy people than low-income people.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Chris Winters | Jun 4, 2018

Introduction: The Decolonize Issue

Mark Trahant, Shannan Lenke Stoll, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 2, 2018

Joy Through Economic Solidarity

Chris Winters, Christa Hillstrom, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jan 25, 2018

Issues

Infographic: How Money Influences Your Happiness (and Vice Versa)

For a joyful economy, spread the wealth.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Clo Copass | Dec 8, 2017

Social Justice in This Transition

Stephen Miller, Shannan Lenke Stoll, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Oct 26, 2017

Issues

4 Reasons Trump Can’t Stop the Renewables Revolution

For starters, it’s way cheaper.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Chris Winters | Sep 20, 2017

Issues

How to Feed Ourselves in a Time of Climate Crisis

Here are 13 of the best ideas for a just and sustainable food system, from saving seeds to curbing food waste.

Raj Patel, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 8, 2017

Compassionate Defiance

Clo Copass, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Shannan Lenke Stoll | Aug 10, 2017

Issues

What Japanese Internment Taught Us About Standing Up for Our Neighbors

First, we must demand justice for ourselves. Second, those who have privilege and power must intervene for those without.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jun 12, 2017

Democracy

A Simple Email Can Help Save the 27 National Monument Areas on Trump’s List

The Trump administration wants to know how you feel about your national monument lands. A public comment period opens May 12.

Michael J. Dax, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 9, 2017

Democracy

New Plans Give Immigrants Access to Legal Representation

Undocumented immigrants in detention are four times more likely to win a custody hearing if they have a lawyer.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Clo Copass | May 1, 2017

Issues

How Public Money Supports Big Pharma

Public money and public universities boost Big Pharma’s profits, so shouldn’t the public be able to afford the drugs?

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, Clo Copass | Apr 28, 2017

Democracy

Photo Essay: These Sculptures Tell the Story of the First Japanese Americans Sent to Camps

The memorial wall is 276 feet long—one foot for every Japanese person who lived on Bainbridge Island in 1942.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Mar 30, 2017

Democracy

In Defense of Standing Rock Reporter Jenni Monet—and All Journalists

If you’ve valued our Standing Rock coverage over the months, tell the Morton County State’s Attorney to drop all charges against Monet. Journalism is not a crime.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Feb 7, 2017

Democracy

Standing Rock Chairman Demands “Leader to Leader” Meeting With Trump

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reportedly has been directed to issue the Dakota Access pipeline easement, even though the environmental review is in the middle of a public comment period.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jan 26, 2017

Democracy

Surviving at Standing Rock After Trump’s DAPL Order

Original water protector camp resolves to stay—even as Sioux tribe says no and Trump orders pipeline construction.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Jan 25, 2017

Democracy

New Year, New President, and Our Promise

We represent nonpartisan, independent journalism. Even in the darkest times, you can depend on us to report on solutions that can heal the planet and improve the lives of the many.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Dec 27, 2016

Social Justice

The Numbers That Tell the Story of This Standing Rock Victory

The Army Corps announced Sunday that the Dakota Access pipeline will be rerouted. Here are the numbers that show what lies ahead.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Dec 4, 2016

Issues

Get Ready for Our Favorite Solutions Across the U.S.

We’ve learned a lot in 20 years of solutions journalism. We know that we can fix what’s broken in our communities, regardless of who inhabits the White House.

Christa Hillstrom, Sarah van Gelder, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Nov 17, 2016

Social Justice

Norway’s Largest Bank Divests From Dakota Access, Launches Own Investigation

Up to $460 million in credit is still at stake for the Bakken pipeline companies after DNB shed its pipeline assets and has begun a “fact-based evaluation” of indigenous rights abuses.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Nov 7, 2016

Democracy

Why Police From 7 Different States Invaded a Standing Rock Camp—and Other Questions

To clear the way for a pipeline, North Dakota invoked a measure reserved for state emergencies like natural disasters. That’s one answer.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Oct 31, 2016

Issues

How We Became an Economy of Side Jobs

The job growth that led us out of the recession has been in nontraditional jobs, and that's working well for women.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 13, 2016

Democracy

Feds Step In, and the Big Win May Be for All Tribes Facing Pipelines

The Department of Justice promised “meaningful tribal input” on pipeline decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 9, 2016

Health & Happiness

A Fun Way to Stop Buying Things You Don’t Really Need

Instead of buying the items she coveted, this artist made paintings of them. Here’s what she learned after a year of not shopping.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 8, 2016

Economy

How Americans Build Wealth in 10 Charts —And What Race Has to Do With It

Hint: It’s less about income and more about skin color.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Sep 1, 2016

Issues

Who Replaced 9-to-5 Workers?

In just a few years, half of all workers will be outside the traditional economy. Not just artists and farmers but business people and professors, too.

Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | Aug 25, 2016