Additional Sources of Online Information

🔗📑🌎 Here are some further resources on topics related to climate change:

• https://earthjournalism.net/resources/newly-green-a-course-on-the-green-recovery-and-just-transition-for-journalists
• https://earthjournalism.net/resources/online-courses/from-microbes-to-rainforests-an-introductory-biodiversity-course-for-journalists
• https://earthjournalism.net/resources/a-journalists-guide-to-covering-net-zero-policies-in-south-africa

Here is a very useful tip sheet for how to report on Climate change

Health Journalism Network (HJN) guidance documents for journalists on various health topics that have a climate change link. The HJN is housed on the Internews website.

• https://healthjournalism.internews.org/resource/cholera-in-africa-new-outbreaks-and-the-impact-of-tropical-cyclone-freddy/
• https://healthjournalism.internews.org/resource/reporting-on-cholera-and-other-acute-watery-diarrheal-diseases/
• https://healthjournalism.internews.org/resource/world-malaria-day-2023/
• https://healthjournalism.internews.org/resource/journalism-for-one-health-the-internews-approach/
• When Climate is a Health Story – Improving Reporting of Climate & Health at COP28 https://healthjournalism.internews.org/article/when-climate-is-a-health-story-improving-reporting-of-climate-health-at-cop28/

Here is part of a list compiled by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The sources are vetted by the world body, so they are trustworthy:

• UNFCCC Newsroom
• What is Climate Justice? – Carbon Brief
• COP Priorities for Africa – UN
• UN NDC Synthesis Report
• NET-ZERO:  The world is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Here’s what that means | CBC News
• Real climate blog:Blog written by scientists on climate change issues
• Sci-Line Quick Facts on Climate:SciLine is a free service for journalists and scientists based at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which dubs itself the “world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society.” They have vetted the resources in their guide, so it is a quick way to add reliable information into your work.
• What We Mean When We Talk About 1.5 Degrees C– Covering Climate Now
• Reporter Resources– Covering Climate Now
• UNFCCC eHandbook. – This guide seeks to provide a starting point for newcomers to help them see the “big picture” of the United Nations climate change regime, the science, and negotiation processes.
• Freelancer’s guide to reporting on climate change – Freelance Journalism Assembly

Last but not least: protect yourself

Covering the climate beat can be dangerous as you may be sent to cover unfolding catastrophic events such as natural disasters, extreme weather, conflicts – for example – over land-use, big business interests or illicit activities. Be sure to get legal and physical protection and the backing of your employer If you are investigating businesses, governments, or individuals, or travelling to an area or country with safety concerns.

ReliefWeb has reported on examples of the risks faced by journalists reporting environmental stories, while the EJN has published this guide on safety and security for environmental journalists. Here is the Committee for the Protection of Journalsits’ take on safety when reporting on extreme weather events and natural disasters.