Event Press Briefing June 23, 2026

Press Briefing: Deadly Heat, Vital Reporting

CCNow talked with experts about how to cover climate change–driven extreme heat — from grounding journalism in cutting edge science to selecting the right photographs

By Anna Hiatt
Past event: June 30, 2026

As millions of Europeans sweltered under record-shattering heat and North America prepared to face similar temperatures, Covering Climate Now hosted a conversation about how civic-minded reporting can literally save lives. As journalists, we’re part of the “social infrastructure” that shapes how communities experience extreme weather. In the short term, providing accurate and timely information on the dangers and how to stay safe is imperative. The best reporting also explains the “why” behind extreme weather: global warming driven by burning fossil fuels has overheated the planet, making heatwaves hotter, longer, and more frequent.

In this press briefing, panelists discussed climate adaptation best practices, attribution and end-to-end science, and storytelling tips, equipping journalists to deliver the coverage their audiences need.

Panelists

  • Patrick Galey, Head of Investigations and Fossil Fuels Lead, Global Witness
  • Jeff Goodell, author of The Heat Will Kill You First and Contributing Writer for Rolling Stone magazine
  • Saffron J. O’Neill, Professor in Climate & Society, Geography; University of Exeter

Mark Hertsgaard, Executive Director and Co-Founder of CCNow, moderated.

Resources