Last year, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center showed that only 37 percent of Americans considered addressing climate change a top priority for the president and Congress. Climate change ranked 17th out of 21 national issues in the survey. However, according to renowned climate scientist and communicator MIT Professor Katharine Hayhoe, it's not that Americans don't care about climate change, but rather that they don't realize they already do.
During the Connecting with Americans on Climate Change webinar last fall, Hayhoe emphasized the importance of guiding people to their "gate" - a conversational entry point about climate impacts and solutions. Hayhoe explained that this gate doesn't have to be climate-specific, but can instead focus on the things that people already care deeply about, such as being a parent, a fiscal conservative, a military veteran, or someone who loves nature and outdoor activities like kayaking or birdwatching. By showing individuals how they are the perfect person to care about climate change, their identity is enhanced, and they become more inclined to advocate for and adopt climate solutions.
Recognizing the significance of local journalism in engaging communities on climate change, the MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship provides financial and technical support to journalists dedicated to connecting local stories to broader climate contexts, particularly in areas where climate change is disputed or underreported. The fellowship aims to fill the gap in climate journalism, which is often limited to larger national news outlets with dedicated climate reporters. With many local papers struggling and the potential loss of a significant number of papers in the coming years, local climate beats can be neglected. The work carried out by the MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship becomes crucial in bridging this gap and making climate stories relevant to local communities.
Laur Hesse Fisher, the program director at MIT ESI and founder of the fellowship, explains the importance of the fellowship's focus on local storytelling, stating, "It’s a model for engaging some of the hardest audiences to reach: people who don’t think they care much about climate change. These talented journalists tell powerful, impactful stories that resonate directly with these audiences."
The impact of the fellowship is evident in the projects undertaken by the 2023 cohort of fellows. Micah Drew, in his eight-part series titled "Montana's Climate Change Lawsuit" published in The Flathead Beacon, highlighted a landmark case where 16 young people sued the state of Montana for violating their right to a clean and healthful environment. Drew emphasized the impact of wildfires on the plaintiffs' lives, stating, "wildfire smoke has canceled soccer games at the high school level. It cancels cross-country practice; it cancels sporting events. I mean, that’s a whole section of your livelihood when you’re that young that’s now being affected."
Joan Meiners, a climate news reporter for the Arizona Republic, focused on the intersection of Phoenix's extreme heat and housing crises. Meiners highlighted the need to reconsider the emphasis on sprawling, single-family detached homes over affordable housing and the role that municipalities can play in revising building codes.
Annie Ropeik, a freelance journalist for The Maine Monitor, delved into Maine's heavy reliance on oil for home heating in her four-part series titled "Hooked on Heating Oil." Ropeik explored the equity issues surrounding access to fossil fuel alternatives and the barriers faced by different communities in adopting solutions.
Mike Tony, an energy and environment reporter for The Charleston Gazette-Mail, investigated West Virginia's flood vulnerabilities and the state's lack of climate action in his four-part series. Tony aimed to connect with audiences by focusing on a topic, such as flooding, that affects the entire state and using it as a springboard to scrutinize climate politics.
Ryan Van Velzer, Louisville Public Media's energy and environment reporter, examined the decline of Kentucky's fossil fuel industry and proposed sustainable solutions in his four-part series titled "Coal's Dying Light." Van Velzer acknowledged the challenge of convincing people in communities heavily reliant on fossil fuels about the reality of climate change and the economic changes required for mitigation.
These projects by the MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship's fellows demonstrate that someone's gate to caring about climate change is likely closer than they think - in their own home, community, or region. By bringing climate stories to a local level, these journalists have successfully engaged audiences and sparked conversations about climate change and its impact on their lives.
To learn more about the upcoming fellowship cohort, which will report on climate solutions being implemented locally and their contribution to reducing emissions while addressing relevant local issues, interested individuals can sign up for the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative newsletter. For any inquiries about the fellowship, they can reach out to Laur Hesse Fisher at climate@mit.edu.
