Turning climate reporting into a force of change
Excessive focus on negative news – which indeed abounds – has proved ineffective in spreading awareness and, above all, moving people to action. To contribute to the required societal and cultural change, journalism should talk about available solutions and share a narrative of what we want to achieve rather than focusing on the gloomy future that stems from inaction
In reporting on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – the three intertwined facets of the global environmental crisis – informing the public and explaining the risks and issues surrounding these complex challenges is crucial. However, the vast influx of information can sometimes have unintended effects. Readers may feel overwhelmed by the continuous stream of gloomy news and become disengaged. This phenomenon, termed “the hope gap” by the Yale Programme on Climate Change Communication, refers to the widening divide between people’s concerns about the environmental crisis and their hope that individual and collective action can make a difference.
Studies have highlighted that a potential remedy for the paralyzing effect of negative news saturation is to report not only on existing problems but also on available solutions. One editorial noted that “solutions journalism can help engage and empower people as news consumers – and also as actors in a challenging and increasingly complex world.”
This approach is especially relevant for coverage of the environmental crisis, which is advancing rapidly and already disrupting societies and economies worldwide. Simply reporting on the latest extreme weather event or even explaining its links to climate change or ecological degradation is no longer enough. There is a pressing need to discuss actionable solutions and to demand accountability from policymakers.
Moreover, a shift towards positive news seems to foster greater engagement, offering a dual benefit for media outlets and enhancing their economic sustainability. Analyses of audience engagement patterns suggest that people are more likely to share positive stories, making them more likely to go viral than negative news.
A 2023 report from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) delves into the crucial question of how journalism can fulfil its duty not only to inform the public about climate change but also to convey the urgency of the environmental crisis – which is comparable to the recent pandemic – and motivate both individuals and decision-makers to act. One challenge in climate journalism is that climate change is often still framed as a future problem, despite its recent acceleration, while reporting happens on a day-to-day basis. Another issue is that the complexity of the climate crisis can make it difficult to communicate it accurately yet effectively.
Although journalists’ primary role is to inform, they should also make it clear that awareness alone is insufficient when it comes to the climate crisis. Journalism can help shed light on the social dimensions of this crisis, identify those responsible for it, and spotlight pathways to solutions. Rather than focusing solely on looming threats, the gloomy future if no change occurs, or the sacrifices needed, journalists could promote a positive vision of the desirable future we aim to create and outline the steps we can take toward it. Positive narratives are more likely to empower people and encourage them to take action.
As the EBU report argues, producing effective climate journalism is a challenging yet unavoidable task, given that the environmental crisis is not just a scientific topic but impacts every dimension of our lives and society. Indeed, as the report asserts, “One thing is abundantly clear: better climate journalism equals better journalism, and better journalism is good for the industry's survival and democracy. Who knows, it might even be good for the survival of humanity.”
Read the complete report: Climate Journalism That Works
