Climate Change

Discussion: Talia Buford, ProPublica & Kevin Rosario, American Studies at Smith College
Workshop: International Research Institute for Climate and Society

Discussion: 5:00-6:30pm, December 1, 2017
Workshop: 10:00am-5:00pm, December 2, 2017

From food production, transportation, fashion and even sports, to energy usage, critical infrastructure and the impact of extreme climatic events, climate change is affecting almost every aspect of our lives. But these effects are experienced differently both within and between countries, often with strong socio-economic divisions. Reporting on climate is challenging, however, and many journalists feel uncomfortable engaging the topic outside an environmental beat. The subject can be technical, supported by data and models, some of which do not agree. On Friday, we will hear from Talia Buford, a reporter who takes a social justice angle on climate, and Kevin Rozario, a cultural theorist who writes on the historical interpretations of natural disasters.

In a day-long workshop on Saturday, we will survey the current landscape of reporting on climate change, and look to the tools, data and resources that exist for reporters trying to write about the topic. In the afternoon, students will be paired with PhD students in Columbia's Environmental Science program to collaborate on pitches of their own — new stories to contextualize the impacts of climate change. This is a rare opportunity to collaborate with scientists in the making.


Apply for the Workshop