Global environmental stories reimagined for the way people read today

TL;DR

Mongabay is one of the world’s leading nonprofit environmental newsrooms. Their reporting reaches millions, but shifting digital habits and declining referral traffic from social media meant fewer readers were landing on their stories and staying long enough to explore them.

Mongabay partnered with 3 Sided Cube to create a mobile-first experience inspired by the fluidity of social media scrolling but built entirely around independent journalism. The new mobile site brings previously disconnected formats together. Short videos, audio snapshots, alerts and longform reporting now sit in one seamless, continuously loading feed.

Impact: A faster and more intuitive way for readers to explore environmental stories, stay informed, and engage with Mongabay’s work.

Impact: A fast, intuitive mobile experience that lets readers connect with global environmental stories in richer, more dynamic formats.

Tech Stack: React mobile web, GraphQL, Google Analytics GA4, Mapbox Globe

Services: UX and UI design, mobile web development, API integration, content schema updates, UAT support

PROBLEM

Mongabay faced two connected challenges:

1. The collapse of social media referral traffic

As platforms reduced outbound links, Mongabay saw fewer readers arriving from social channels and shorter time on site. Their question was simple. How do we keep readers with us when attention is moving elsewhere.

2. Content was scattered across multiple places

Mongabay publishes short videos, audio clips, environmental alerts and longform articles. These formats lived in different environments, which made it hard for readers to discover everything in one place.

In the eyes of the user:

Readers want fast access to trusted environmental news. They want video, audio, alerts, and articles all in one place, without jumping across tabs or losing their place.

APPROACH

We collaborated directly with Mongabay’s internal developer, who created and maintained the WordPress content types. Our team extended the GraphQL schema and built a completely new front end shaped for mobile first behaviour.

Mobile first UX inspired by modern scrolling patterns

Not copying social media but borrowing the behaviours readers already understand. Continuous vertical scroll, simple tap actions, clear audio playback, and clean transitions ensure readers stay immersed in Mongabay’s journalism rather than bouncing out to other platforms.

Building a flexible foundation for future versions

The project lays the groundwork for future iterations. Topic based versions, language specific versions and even a standalone Mongabay app can build on this platform.

Joined up analytics

Since most of Mongabay’s audience is mobile, it was important that analytics data could be matched with their existing site in GA4. The goal was a unified view of behaviour across both environments.

SOLUTION

Here’s what we delivered as part of the Mongabay Mobile Site overhaul:

1. New content types and schema updates

Mongabay created new WordPress content types for short videos, short audio and alerts.Cube extended the GraphQL schema so all formats flow cleanly into the new mobile experience.

2. Continuous scroll homepage

A feed that loads indefinitely, mixing formats dynamically. It pulls from new content as soon as it is published and includes subscribe and donate prompts for deeper engagement.

3. Immersive short video player

A fullscreen YouTube powered video experience that supports sideways swiping through videos. When a user closes the player, they return to the exact point in their scroll.

4. Short audio with sticky playback

Audio clips play inline with clear controls. Playback sticks to the top of the screen so users can continue browsing while listening.

5. Location-based alerts with Mapbox Globe

An interactive globe that displays environmental events and geographical context. Users can swipe through alerts, and the globe updates automatically with each story.

6. Modal viewer for longform content

Articles, videos and podcasts open in a clean modal that displays key information and links out to the full story on Mongabay’s primary site.

7. Additional enhancements

GA4 analytics integration, metadata support and mobile routing ensure the experience is seamless from start to finish.

CHALLENGES

• Integrating a new mobile experience into Mongabay’s existing WordPress workflow

• Ensuring new content formats (video, audio, alerts) worked seamlessly with the GraphQL schema

• Maintaining scroll position across fullscreen transitions

• Ensuring consistent performance across iOS, Android, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox

• Handling location-based content without compromising load speeds

• Unifying analytics across the mobile experience and the main site.

IMPACT

With this new mobile experience, Mongabay’s audience can now:

• Watch short documentary-style clips instantly

• Listen to audio updates while browsing

• Explore environmental alerts through an interactive world globe

• Access articles, videos, and podcasts without ever losing their place

• Navigate effortlessly across devices

For Mongabay’s newsroom, the impact is just as important:

• New formats are easier to publish

• Content is surfacing in a more engaging, structured way

• Alerts and stories gain crucial context thanks to the Mapbox Globe

This release lays the foundation for future features and long-term improvements to how Mongabay delivers environmental journalism on mobile.