Should climate change be at the heart of modern journalism?

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

As climate change gets more severe and people everywhere are experiencing the effects in increasingly disruptive ways, the role of journalism addressing this issue becomes even more vital. From record breaking heatwaves and devastating floods to coastal erosion and global warming, the realities of climate change are no longer distant concerns. They are happening right now.

But in newsrooms all over the world, coverage of climate change in the media remains inconsistent and often on the back burner. Experts urge the need to integrate climate change into all aspects of reporting, as climate issues are interconnected with other major things. Journalism must adapt to meet the demands of a world defined by this global issue.

Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, it is an extensive crisis that effects every aspect of society. Rising global temperatures are fuelling extreme weather events, endangering biodiversity, and worsening social inequalities. Despite the scale of the problem, climate stories often aren’t the top headlines, failing to convey the urgency of the issue.

Journalism plays a significant role in informing the public and holding power to account. Climate journalists in particular, distribute information about climate change through media, in order to improve the quality, understanding and impact of climate coverage around the world. According to the 2024 Peoples’ Climate Vote, 53% of people around the world are more worried about climate change this year than last year. The gap between awareness and action is partly due to how climate change is covered in the media, as audiences find it harder to connect to a distant threat or a few statistics.

Blair Reznick, a climate journalist focusing on Sustainable Development Goals and advocacy, said “social media is a powerful tool for reshaping the climate narrative because it allows for real-time sharing of information, personal stories, and expert insights.

“It breaks down traditional barriers, enabling direct engagement with diverse audiences across the globe. Social media campaigns can mobilize communities, raise awareness quickly, and inspire action through relatable content, visuals, and storytelling.”

In today’s digital world, misinformation about climate change is prevalent. Social media platforms can unfortunately sometimes amplify false claims, undermining people’s understanding and in turn, delaying action. Journalists are uniquely positioned to combat this — by providing accurate, evidence-based reporting.

However, in order to do so, there has to be a shift in how the topic of climate change is viewed and approached. Experts emphasise the importance of avoiding “bothsidesism,” where climate denialist views are given equal weight to the scientific evidence of climate change.

“Bothsidesism,” also known as the false balance problem, can damage the public’s ability to distinguish fact from fiction and can lead audiences to doubt scientific consensus, a new Northwestern University study has found.

David Rapp, a psychologist and professor at Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy who co-authored the research, said “When both sides of an argument are presented, people tend to have lower estimates about scientific consensus and seem to be less likely to believe climate change is something to worry about.”

“Climate change is a great case study of the false balance problem because the scientific consensus is nearly unanimous. If ninety-nine doctors said you needed surgery to save your life, but one disagreed, chances are you’d listen to the ninety-nine.

“But we often see one climate scientist pitted against one climate denier or down player, as if it’s a 50–50 split,” Rapp said.

Science and evidence-based journalism is important, as media outlets and journalist organisations should prioritise accuracy and responsibility. Giving a platform to other views with no evidence only encourages confusion and misinformation.

Reznick’s role involves reporting on climate-related issues, advocating for sustainable practices, and highlighting how policies and initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals. He aims to spotlight stories of resilience, innovation, and sustainability, through interviews, articles, and podcasts.

He explained the importance of education people about climate change, “Educating people about climate change is crucial because it equips individuals and communities with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and take meaningful action.

“Climate literacy fosters awareness about how everyday choices impact the environment and encourages collective responsibility for sustainability. An informed public is better prepared to support policies and initiatives that address the climate crisis.”

Climate change is reshaping the world we live in, and journalism must rise to the occasion. This means climate journalism has to be integrated into every beat, interconnecting with every other topic, reaffirming the importance of the issue.

MediaBridge, an initiative by International Media Support, is partnering with journalists around the world to report on environmental issues impacting local communities. This has helped to ensure that local perspectives reach a global audience, by focusing on amplifying the voices of those most affected by climate change.

“The climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our century, and to me it seems clear that collaborative, creative and ambitious climate journalism has never been more needed,” Henrik Grunnet, a senior adviser at International Media Support, says.

When media outlets collaborate, they can create a more comprehensive, powerful narrative about climate change, reaching wider audiences and influencing policy change. This is an effective way for journalism to adapt and evolve in the face of climate change and drive more impactful storytelling through connecting journalists across borders.

As newsrooms begin to prioritise climate change coverage, they must also ensure they confront ethical questions. Journalism and media coverage shapes public perception and priorities. They will have to answer difficult but necessary questions, such as how do they balance informing the public with advocation for action? Choosing to centre climate change in journalism is not about activism, it is just recognising reality and making it known to everyone around the world.

While the gravity of the climate change issue cannot be overstated, an overly negative approach can lead to apathy and despair. This is where solutions journalism can take over; providing an approach that highlights how individuals, communities and governments can tackle the problem will be encouraging and motivating. It is not about sugar-coating the issues and challenges, but about showing a path forward and knowing that change is possible.

Climate change disproportionately affects marginalised communities, both globally and locally. Low-income families and residents of developing countries are often hit hardest by its impacts, despite usually contributing the least to the problem. These inequities make climate change a profound social justice issue, one that journalists have a duty to highlight, as it worsens social inequalities.

Climate change isn’t just about the melting ice caps or global temperature rise, its about the people. Covering local climate justice and local climate issues, makes the issue seem real and urgent for the audiences. Including these perspectives not only broadens and educates public understanding, but also amplifies the voices of those most affected.

Blair Reznick finally said, “Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues of our time, intersecting with economics, politics, health, and human rights. Including it as a central theme in modern journalism ensures that the public stays informed about its multifaceted impacts.

“Journalists have a responsibility to hold policymakers accountable, spotlight solutions, and amplify voices from affected communities, driving both awareness and action.”

The future of climate journalism depends not just on journalists and reporters, but also on audiences and readers. By supporting and reading from organisations that are providing and prioritising high quality climate change coverage, readers can help to ensure this issue receives the attention it deserves.

Climate change is the reality of our time, and how journalists respond to it will define the future for humanity. For journalism, the question is no longer whether or not to cover climate change, but instead it is how to cover it in a way that informs, engages, and drives action.

Climate change should be at the heart of modern journalism due to the urgent and widespread effects of climate change. It affects all sectors of society, making it crucial for journalists to report on these connections. Prioritising climate journalism allows for informed public awareness and drives necessary global action to address the issue.