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Full Story Newsroom edition: the perils of covering extreme weather during the climate crisis
Jul 3, 2025
Mike Ticher, Head of Newsroom at Guardian Australia, and Patrick Keneally, Deputy Editor at the same outlet, dive into the critical role of language in reporting extreme weather events amidst the climate crisis. They discuss the recent 'bomb cyclone' and the careful choice of terminology to balance urgency with accuracy. The duo also explores the challenges of linking these events to climate change and critiques the media's tendency to minimize the risks associated with extreme weather, highlighting the need for responsible journalism that informs rather than sensationalizes.
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Use Careful Language in Weather Coverage
- News media must choose language carefully when describing extreme weather to avoid exaggeration.
- Terms like ‘bomb cyclone’ may scare or mislead the public if not supported by official sources.
Balancing Drama in Weather Reports
- Reporting must balance dramatizing extreme weather to raise awareness without inducing panic.
- Terms like ‘vigorous East Coast low’ may understate dangers, complicating public perception.
Connecting Weather to Climate Change
- Weather events are often reported in isolation without linking them to climate change.
- Scientific studies increasingly show these events are becoming more intense or frequent due to climate impacts.