Foundations around the world have set out to drive solutions to prevent the worst from unchecked, human-made climate change. Some progress has been made: in many countries, climate movements, severe weather events and the relentless work of scientists, progressive politicians and NGOs have increased awareness that large-scale climate action is urgently needed. Many businesses and finance institutions are shifting priorities and communication, and are developing the business models for a climate-neutral world.

However, global greenhouse gas emissions are still rising, and scientists warn that the time to avoid severe damage to ecosystems and livelihoods is running out. Given the size of the challenge, solutions to tackle the worst effects of climate change will have to be systemic in nature and directly affect people’s everyday lives – a difficult task, especially at a time when the fallout of Russia’s war on Ukraine and high inflation hit economies and individuals alike, threatening to further divide societies. The challenge creating a fact-based, effective and democratic debate about the necessary changes on the way to climate-neutral economies and their economic and social impacts has never been bigger.

Quality journalism plays an essential role for such a constructive public debate, ideally helping politicians, business leaders and citizens to navigate the complex processes and to take well-informed, effective decisions. Journalists have a dual role to play: They must highlight the threats of climate change. But even more importantly, they must present and assess solutions and closely monitor the actions by governments and businesses. Journalism can also offer a glimpse into what the future may hold and show the forks in the road where the best path forward needs to be negotiated and decided upon.

However, journalists face a tough environment. The digital revolution has put media businesses under severe financial strain as the big platforms eat into revenues. The latest leap in artificial intelligence adds extra pressure to adjust journalism’s business models and journalists’ way of working. Time and resource-intensive journalism such as foreign reporting or local, in-depth coverage suffers most. In addition, social media allows everyone to circumvent the media, stripping journalists of their role as gatekeepers of quality information.

Despite the challenges, many media outlets have ramped up climate coverage. Yet too often, climate reporting is still guided by traditional news criteria, and the political cycle remains event-driven and connected to the latest heat waves or climate conferences. Way too often, stories lack context, explanations, a diversity of voices and solutions as well as a form and tonality that truly speaks to a wider audience, failing to provide citizens with the basis for well-informed decisions.

Read the full article about climate journalism by Sven Egenter and Philipp Offergeld at Alliance.