Climate on the Ballot: A Virtual Summit for Journalists

How to cover the story of our time in this unprecedented election year

Past event: September 17, 2024 - September 19, 2024

The 2024 election will have a profound effect on how, and whether, the US government addresses the climate crisis. Over three days — through panels, workshops, and more — we’ll dig 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? During this summit, we’ll tackle these questions and more — together.

This page will be updated as further details become available.


  • 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?

    • Panel: 12pm to 12:50pm US Eastern Time

  • 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.

    • Panel: 9am to 9:50am US Eastern Time

  • 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?

    • Panel: 12pm to 12:50pm US Eastern Time

  • DAY 3 – Thursday, Sept. 19: Interview with John Podesta — RSVP HERE

Tune in for a high-impact conversation with our headliner guest, John Podesta, senior climate advisor to President Joe Biden. Podesta will be interviewed by Chase Cain, of NBC News, and Joan Meiners, of The Arizona Republic.

    • PLEASE NOTE! NEW TIME: Due to a schedule change, we’ll be going live at 11:30am ET instead of 11am ET.

IF YOU REGISTERED FOR THE SUMMIT ON EVENTBRITE,
YOU’VE BEEN ENROLLED IN ALL FOUR EVENTS.


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.

Climate on the Ballot newsletter: Check out CCNow’s weekly newsletter to help you and your newsroom make climate change an integral part of your elections coverage. Sign up.

Please note: This event is open to the public, but interactive breakout sessions will be for JOURNALISTS ONLY, to ensure the conversations are constructive and actionable.