Despite overwhelming evidence and a near-consensus amongst scientists, climate change remains stubbornly controversial. Even though most people accept it, inertia, apathy and feelings of powerlessness can prevent individuals and organisations from addressing the risks and remedies.
Journalists have an important role to play in motivating public engagement. Gaining a journalism degree is merely the first stage of that mission.
When writing about the subject, it’s essential for journalists to draw clear connections between causes and effects, to humanise the story and to examine practical solutions. These fundamentals, taught in depth by institutions such as School of Journalism, are applicable to most news stories but are especially important in coverage of climate change.
Causes
Clarify the link between fossil fuels and phenomena like heatwaves, droughts and rising sea levels. This provides fact and context for readers.
People
Cover human stories and local impact. Climate change manifests differently across different regions, so personal experiences make the issue more relatable and urgent.
The Marginalised
These groups are often among the worst affected and the most likely to be pursuing answers, so this angle can enrich the narrative.
Clarity
Use simple, clear language. Avoid jargon, and explain scientific concepts succinctly – for instance, describing greenhouse gases as a blanket that traps heat.
Optimism
Explore potential solutions – not only technological approaches but also political and cultural strategies.
Realism
Avoid giving a voice to climate deniers in the name of balance because it misleads and distorts the science. Focus on factual stories to engage readers and encourage action.
Explaining the main drivers of warming
Readers engage more when the causes of climate change are explained plainly and linked to choices they can make. The main driver is greenhouse gases, chiefly carbon dioxide and methane. Burning coal, oil and gas releases carbon dioxide along with nitrous oxide, which is why switching to an energy supplier that uses renewable sources is one practical step households can take.
Deforestation adds to the problem because cutting down trees releases stored carbon into the atmosphere. Supporting products from sustainable sources and planting trees both help. Livestock farming is another major source of methane, so eating less meat, or none at all, reduces demand for it.
Responsibility is not shared equally. Fossil fuel companies and the banks that finance them carry a large share of it, and campaigners encourage people to move their money away from institutions that fund fossil fuels. Writing to a bank to explain why you might leave, or starting or signing a petition, gives readers something concrete to do. Making homes more efficient, for example with solar panels, is another.