Journalists, meet climate change

The headlines scream about war, crime, political strife, economic woes. But underlying it all — and more and more often bubbling to the top — is what future historians will likely look back and call the story of this century: Climate change. Recognizing the importance of this pervasive phenomenon, Covering Climate Now, Columbia Journalism Review, the Solutions Journalism Network, The Guardian and The Nation last fall brought together more than 200 journalists from around the world to develop a plan for better reporting on this critical but often-sidelined topic. A recently released synopsis of their work, Climate Blueprint for Media Transformation, offers journalists 14 tips for reporting on this critical topic. 1. Engage across beats Climate affects everyone and everything — and climate change reporting should reflect that. Help colleagues of all ilks incorporate climate into their reporting, connecting it with audience members’ everyday concerns and real-life experiences. 2. Connect with communities Take time to engage those affected by or featured in your reporting in a respectful way. Focus on people rather than deadlines. 3. Use images When it comes to climate change, visuals truly are worth a thousand words. Photos and graphics can make stories personal and help clarify complex concepts. 4. Center justice Consider culture and entrenched inequalities. Include affected individuals as expert sources and ensure they can access the results of your reporting. 5. Avoid propagating misinformation Misinformation and disinformation abound in the climate sphere. Pay attention to who or what is behind the message. Query claims about solutions. 6. Attend to activism Citizen action is an important part of the climate story. Treat protests as serious news. Carefully consider the choice of words you choose to describe the issue and the action. 7. Take care of yourself and colleagues Climate change is a traumatizing topic that can harm mental health. Work to ensure that you and your newsroom have the resources needed to deal with the stress of climate reporting. 8. Consider the bigger picture Proximate causes of harm such as fossil-fuel burning are an important part of the story, but so are entrenched systems that… Read More
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