The 2024 election will have a profound effect on how, and whether, the US government addresses the climate crisis. Over three days, we dug into the challenges and opportunities of elevating the climate angle in journalists’ political storytelling. Polling shows that a clear majority of the public cares about climate change and wants to know more. So, how can we tell stories that capture audiences’ attention and drive public discussion in a news cycle that is moving so fast? How can we be accurate and honest about climate change, while guarding against allegations of partisanship? And how can we demonstrate to audiences the connection between this election and the climate action, or inaction, they’re seeing in their backyards?
- DAY 1 – Tuesday, Sept. 17: The Stakes vs. The Horse Race
How can elections coverage prioritize informing voters of the climate stakes and hold leaders accountable for their climate positions?
- DAY 2 – Wednesday, Sept. 18: The World’s Climate Elections
Roughly 4 billion people will have had the opportunity to vote in 2024. We heard lessons learned from reporters in three climate-critical countries — India, Mexico, and the UK — on how their press handled recent national elections. And we explored how reporters around the world can cover the importance of the US election for humanity’s climate outlook.
- DAY 2 – Wednesday, Sept. 18: The State & Local Climate Election
State and local officials have important roles to play in championing or stymying climate action, and billions of dollars are flowing into communities across the country, due to recent federal climate legislation. How do we best cover the climate story locally, and what can we learn from colleagues who are doing it well?
- DAY 3 – Thursday, Sept. 19: Interview with John Podesta
Chase Cain, of NBC News, and Joan Meiners, of The Arizona Republic, interviewed our headliner guest, John Podesta, senior climate advisor to President Joe Biden.
Read more: For the Guardian, CCNow co-founders Mark Hertsgaard & Kyle Pope argue that 2024 “should be the year of the climate election” and explain how journalists might cover it this way.
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