Scientists toiled for decades in relative obscurity to elucidate the data that communicates the urgency of climate change, but by now there’s no part of the globe that isn’t experiencing negative impacts—here in New York City we’ve recently had to contend with deadly flash floods, heat waves and toxic smoke from Canadian wildfires. The climate crisis is here—and it’s the biggest story of our generation.
People across the globe are ready to bring technology and social action to bear to handle this crisis. Solutions exist. But fossil fuel companies spend countless millions on propaganda and misinformation, and our political and social systems tend toward inertia. In this class, you will become climate literate, gaining skills and foundational knowledge to engage audiences and, hopefully, spark motivation and change.
You will choose an aspect of climate change to focus on. Previous student beats include: air pollution, carbon pricing, nuclear power, wildfires, climate change and sports, shifting ecosystems, food insecurity, extreme heat and health, climate change and incarceration.
The public needs solid, clear, inclusive climate coverage—stories that inform, empower, and elevate all voices. Media outlets are finally eager for climate coverage and beginning to connect the dots between climate and social justice. You’ll pitch to actual editors. Recent stories students sold from this class: this one in City & State by Elias Guerra on the fate of NYC’s Jamaica Bay, this one in Atmos by Alex Krales on how extreme heat is affecting older incarcerated people and this one in DeSmog by Liz Rosenberg about the pushback against fossil fuels divestment.