Push for Climate Headlines
Climate change is often the untold story behind many news headlines, like extreme weather, refugees, national security, and public health. And while there is certainly more climate news than before, it still only accounts for a tiny fraction of our news stories - for example, in the US climate made up less than 1% of television news airtime in 2020.
Like, praise and share quality climate stories on social media and ask those not covering the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves, to do better. Subscribe to news outlets covering the climate crisis well, and let them know that’s why you’ve given them your support.
Push for climate change to become a daily, front page story, weaved into relevant news stories ranging from extreme weather and the energy crisis, to food, fashion, football and finance.
tips
The best way to reach news outlets directly is through email or social media.
Like, share, and praise good climate coverage to encourage reporters and news outlets to do more of it. If you need a place to start, here’s a weekly round up. Subscribe to news organizations that promote quality climate news like AFP, Aljazeera, Channel 4, PBS News Hour, The Guardian, and Washington Post, to name a few. Check if your regular news provider is committed to covering climate. You could also follow award winning climate journalists.
Remind news outlets that climate is a big news story that people want to hear about. In fact, the majority of people globally are worried about the crisis (as high as 94% of people in some countries) and are paying more attention to climate coverage than ever before.
Ask news outlets to not only increase their climate coverage but also to mention the climate connection across all their news topics. Ask them to report on the solutions, not just the problems and if you’re concerned about the facts in a story, use fact-checking resources like Climate Feedback or DeSmogBlog. When reaching out to journalists and news outlets, here are some talking points from Covering Climate Now and Global Investigative Journalism Network that might help.
You could also support groups that promote better climate coverage such as Covering Climate Now, End Climate Silence, Climate Tracker, Earth Journalism Network, and the Media and Climate Change Observatory.
benefits
Putting climate on the front pages and within mainstream topics like the economy, sports and crime, makes it a pressing issue for government and business to address. As noted climate journalist Bill McKibben put it “Repetition and constant reiteration are precisely what we need right now”.
Better audience ratings incentivise news outlets and journalists to cover more climate stories, and raises the bar across the board.
Plus, better quality reporting means you get access to more reliable news to make better informed choices about how you act and who you support.
Many people read local news more than global news, but local news outlets aren’t always making the climate connection. Pushing for better coverage at a local level will help people understand the impact climate change is already having on their own lives and the urgent need for action.
text reprinted with permission from Count Us In