Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex issues of our time. As a journalist, you have the power and responsibility to inform, educate, and motivate your audience to take action. But how can you write climate change news stories that are accurate, engaging, and inspiring? Here are some tips to help you craft compelling stories that make a difference.
Before you start writing, think about who you are writing for and what they care about. What are their values, beliefs, and emotions? How do they perceive climate change and its impacts? What are their barriers and motivations to act? Tailor your message to your audience's needs, interests, and preferences. Use language that is clear, relatable, and respectful. Avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that may confuse or alienate your readers.
I agree. Knowing your audience is crucial. Avoid starting with difficult news e.g. way behind on carbon reduction targets ! Remember that people will mostly take action if they can see and feel benefit for them, their family and possibly the wider community. If saving money is key for their home or business, then focus on energy and waste saving which is good for the pocket and the planet!
I’d probably make it simpler than this. First question: are they sustainability professional’s, or are they interested in sustainability. They are fundamentally different. Then do they see sustainability as a ‘purpose’ challenge or a business challenge. And are they cynical and need their minds changed, or on board but looking for solutions
Climate Collapse (let's get the term straight) is too big for comprehension. KYA Humans don't shift until there is an immediate threat. Punch hard and with emotion. You have to tell the story from the perspective of direct-to-the-reader-loss. It requires a balance between hard facts and engagement. Maintain a “Balanced Tone” avoid doom scrolling. The goal is to inform about the severity of climate change, inspiring a sense of urgency and responsibility, encouraging action. Start with Personal Stories Use Relatable Analogies and Language Incorporate Visuals and Infographics Highlight Actionable Solutions Make It Local Call to Action! End your story with a clear call to action. Provide links for involvement.
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This requires focusing on human stories and tangible impacts - things that people can relate to. Highlight individuals or communities taking positive steps toward mitigation or adaptation, showcasing their resilience and innovation. Use compelling narratives and visuals to evoke emotions and foster empathy, connecting readers to the issue on a personal level. Frame the story with solutions-oriented approaches, emphasizing practical actions individuals can take to make a difference. Provide clear, accurate information backed by demystifying the scientific evidence to build credibility and trust. Finally, emphasize the urgency of the issue offering hope and optimism for positive change through collective action.
First of all we need to remove the focus on "news" as news isn't an "action oriented" storytelling space. Instead I would argue that we need to focus on climate arts and storytelling that evokes emotion - anger, sadness, inspiration, hope - that inspire audiences to act. Secondly I think we need diversity in narratives that appeal to different audiences. A story about resistance may appeal to a diff audience that one on science or technology. All narratives are important but impact storytelling is so much about strategy & truly knowing your audience & what they respond to. I think there's a lot of work in front of us but given the immense talent/passion of artists in the climate & sustainability spaces, I think we have a lot of potential!
How you frame your story can influence how your audience understands and responds to it. Choose a frame that is relevant, meaningful, and appealing to your audience. For example, you can frame your story around the causes, consequences, or solutions of climate change. You can also use frames that connect climate change to other topics, such as health, security, justice, or innovation. Avoid frames that are too abstract, negative, or polarizing, as they may discourage or disengage your audience.
Most people are aware of climate change but you can't assume detailed knowledge. Take the time to explain the facts and figures in your articles, even if they seem obvious to you. Climate change can also often seem like an overwhelming but distant problem to readers. If possible, explain the likely relevance to their lives. Will homeowners face higher insurance costs? Could coffee become a scarce and expensive commodity. Finally, to inspire action mention low-level ways in which readers have the power to change things: a coming referendum on whether to expand public transport, a credible label for carbon-neutral products, a local initiative to encourage community gardening or "adopt-a-tree" schemes in the neighbourhood are good examples.
There’s increasing evidence that shows framing it in non scientific terms, with human stories that can directly be related to, and clear actions is more effective. The public currently think 4% warming is ok …. So the way it’s been framed to date isn’t working. For an example of how to frame problems, look at Bidens anti inflation act
O chamado Jornalismo de Solu??es é bastante eficiente quando cobrimos temas ligados às mudan?as climáticas. O foco aqui é encontrar exemplos de medidas concretas que est?o sendo tomadas a nível coletivo para lidar e resolver com problemas, mostrando o que está dando certo (ou n?o) e como isso ocorre. Com isso, é possível qualificar o debate e apresentar exemplos concretos para o leitor.
Your story should be based on credible and current evidence and sources. Use data, facts, and figures to support your claims and arguments. But don't overwhelm your audience with too many numbers or graphs. Instead, use visual aids, metaphors, or comparisons to make your data more accessible and memorable. Also, choose your sources wisely. Use experts, authorities, or influencers who are trustworthy and knowledgeable. Include diverse voices and perspectives that represent your audience and the issue.
Very cogent points. In terms of being ethical and responsible, it is important not to be too alarmist in any climate newslike change story. While providing an "inconvenient truth" (to quote Al Gore), also show pathways of hope, given the critical actions and leadership being shown globally for a climate smart future. Accordingly, report political will, research on solutions, inventions, public investments and regulations being devices to address the main issues of the story. Inspire hope in the call to action message.
One of the most effective ways to engage and inspire your audience is to tell human stories. Human stories are stories that focus on the experiences, emotions, and actions of real people. They can show how climate change affects people's lives, how people cope or adapt, or how people contribute to solutions. Human stories can elicit empathy, curiosity, and inspiration from your audience. They can also provide role models, examples, or guidance for your audience to follow.
Linked to the point on framing. Polar bears and melting icebergs don’t work because 99% of us will never see them. There’s some great work suggesting that pollution will be a much more effective lever than global warming, because we see, feel and dislike the former every day. And the more local the application of that story the better. Accidental sustainability is also interesting - cost of living crisis has boosted repairs, 2nd hand, rental etc. so sometimes it’s just about leveraging existing human behaviours
Your story should not only inform your audience, but also motivate them to act. A call to action is a statement or a question that invites or urges your audience to do something. It can be a specific or a general action, such as signing a petition, joining a movement, changing a behavior, or learning more. A call to action should be clear, feasible, and relevant to your audience and your story. It should also convey a sense of urgency, importance, or benefit.
To write climate change news stories that inspire action, focus on human stories, real impacts, and actionable solutions. Highlight personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs related to climate change. Provide concrete examples of how climate change is affecting people and communities. Offer practical steps individuals and communities can take to address climate change. Use compelling visuals and data to illustrate the urgency and importance of taking action. Empower readers by showcasing success stories and positive changes resulting from collective efforts. Ultimately, aim to foster a sense of hope, agency, and determination to tackle climate change.
Finally, as a journalist, you should always adhere to the ethical and professional standards of your field. You should be accurate, fair, and balanced in your reporting. You should verify your information, cite your sources, and correct your errors. You should respect your subjects, sources, and audience. You should disclose any conflicts of interest, biases, or opinions. You should also be aware of the potential impacts and implications of your story. You should avoid sensationalism, exaggeration, or misinformation that may mislead, harm, or discourage your audience.
Thanks Lisa! They teach how to review facts and critical thinking in Finland, world’s best schools because they actually implemented US research. Plus, indigenous communities share new dream (to belonging to nature’s Already Made wholeness, my dream). Less consumption and social imitation of royalty and wealth; more balance of power as empowering equity, harmonics, flourishing joy. Paradigm shifting happening - new models and knowledge/wisdom.
We can't keep talking about the ineffectiveness of climate communications if we keep defining them as journalistic storytelling. Journalism is one form of storytelling but others do not rely on data, information or science but on emotions, perspectives, personal stories and those are subjective. Not everything can be "fact checked." Nor should we avoid sensationalism, exaggeration or "misinformation" because those are moving targets depending on who "reports" them. Instead we need to priotize teaching media literacy and critical thinking bc we should be able to consume content of all perspectives and decipher it. Plus not all "credible sources" tell us the truth. Politicians, news outlets etc can also be deceiving. Sorry but it's the truth.
Writing a Climate change story is a great way to inspire action and an avenue to close knowledge gap. This could be considered as an insightful tool but the approach to take is very important. Here are Some of the things to note when Writing a Climate change story 1. First hand experience directly from those affected and not base on assumptions or hear-say 2. Data should be used to quantify to range of impact 3. Use active verb and engaging phrases 4. Be sincere and don't tell the story of another person 5. The story should be your story so that when you write, your audience could easily picture you in the story 6. Write with imaginary pictures 7. Use simply words that are easy to comprehend and give reference where needed