Quoted from the International Journalists Network website, On Mar 14, 2024
Covering climate change through a solutions lens is becoming more prevalent in the media, and it’s not just about telling positive, well-received stories about the environment. This model uses investigative techniques and data that drives accurate reporting to identify policies and practices to help mitigate the crisis..
The data project manager said, Solutions Journalism Network, Matthew Kaufman“Solutions reports look at successful responses and highlight where you can check that you got it right,” As he pointed out in Blog On the network's website: “When media organizations ask and answer the question, ‘Who does this better?’, they help their audiences see and explore potential opportunities for change.”
How does this concept apply in newsrooms today?
A decisive moment
Describe United nations The climate crisis is “the greatest threat that modern humanity has ever faced.” Records show that the past decade was the hottest in human history, with wildfires and floods on the rise, posing a dilemma for journalists..
He reported Report issued by the World Association of News Publishers “We need to close the big gaps between what audiences need from climate change news coverage and what news providers are covering,” the report said. “Could journalists unwittingly contribute to climate inaction?” the report asked.
Over the past twenty years, the famous scientist has researched Maxwell Boykoff, , who leads Media and Climate Change Observatory At the University of Colorado on how the media covers climate change, he said:“The researchers found that pessimistic coverage increased awareness, but it may effectively paralyze people from taking action.”
The observatory monitors 131 sources across newspapers, radio and television in 59 countries in 7 different regions around the world to measure common trends in climate coverage..
Solutions and Data Collaboration
Kaufman also described three approaches to how data can interact with solutions journalism, providing links to climate stories that break the mold of negative coverage. Here are his three approaches::
- Data as empirical evidence. The data in the story showed thatCommunity ownership may be the best way to combat deforestation“, which was published by Reasons to be Cheerful, a platform started by David Byrne of Talking HeadsHanding over forest management to the population could lead to lower deforestation rates.
- Data as useful information for a potential solution-based story. Reporters in the story identifiedHow Bangladesh is overcoming obstacles to climate disaster deaths“, which was published by The New Humanitarian, vulnerable countries that have made progress in protecting their populations from natural disasters. Starting with data from INFORM Risk Index AndGlobal Climate Risk IndexReporters found Bangladesh to be a different case, and one writer explored the policies and practices that were saving lives there..
- Data as a resource for community solutions. The story highlightedTribes Use Western and Indigenous Science to Prepare for Climate Change“Highlights a report on a data tool developed at the University of Washington that predicts how climate events will impact agriculture and fishing, enabling indigenous communities to anticipate and adapt to changes.”.
Asking the right questions is an important part of the equation, and the Earth Journalism Network suggests starting with a local example of action on climate change, and linking that to a broader trend or issue..
AndEarth Journalism Network proposes These questions are among other key questions:
- Where did this idea come from?
- What evidence is available to show that solutions work?
- What do researchers say?
- What do the numbers show?
- Who are the critics and what do they say?
- What metrics are important when it comes to measuring success?
- Are solutions that happen in one place a model for another?
Other examples of climate-related solutions journalism:
The Washington Post’s Climate Solutions section lists “stories of innovators and innovations across every form of journalism we know, from rich narratives to compelling visuals.” One example of these stories is:Why companies are racing to build the world's largest insect farms“.
The Guardian's special report highlighted:Reasons for Hope: Climate Solutions Available Now“, highlights what major industries, such as deforestation, agriculture and manufacturing, are doing to help. This story is part of “Cover climate now“It is a global collaboration to cover the climate issue.
In October, it hosted NBR,Climate Solutions Week“, highlighting stories and conversations around the search for answers. Among the contributions was an article titled “Individual actions you can take to combat climate change“.
Stories like these can make a difference, if you find them. A study conducted by the University of Maryland News consumers who read about solutions felt they were better able to influence climate change policy and support action. The report also found that focusing only on the negative aspects of climate change gives the false impression that there is no action to be taken..
Other Resources
- Climate coverage now: NarratesClimate Solutions Reporting GuideWith story categories to cover and questions to start interviews with on a variety of topics, this guide is an excellent tool for self-learning or employee development..
- Solutions Journalism Network: Providing examples, tips and advice, and a tracker of solutions stories, the resources can help journalists develop new skills in covering solutions..
- Oxford Climate Journalism Network: This network is a programme of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and includes: Climate Database of the Global South It includes experts from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific region.
- Project Drawdown: Focuses on science-based solutions and strategies, and provides guidance on how to give space to “underrepresented climate heroes” through storytelling.
- Earth Journalism Network: He provides Its resource is “Covering Climate Change Through a Solutions Lens.”For climate reporters, there are guidelines on what to do and what not to do, one example being: Use data.
Image is licensed for use on Unsplash by Carsten Worth.
