How Climate Change Was Covered In 2024 (w/ Evlondo Cooper)
Dec 31, 2024
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Evlondo Cooper, a senior writer with Media Matters, returns to discuss the year’s climate change coverage. He emphasizes the necessity of linking extreme weather to climate narratives, highlighting ongoing media gaps. Cooper critiques the commercialization of Earth Day and the lack of coverage around COP29. He calls for year-round focus on extreme weather and accountability in climate reporting. The conversation underscores the growing role of independent media in shaping public understanding and the need for a more investigative approach to climate journalism.
Evlondo Cooper stresses the importance of linking extreme weather events to broader climate change narratives for better public understanding.
Despite the growth of independent media, traditional news outlets still significantly shape public perception regarding climate change issues.
Cooper highlights the need for deeper integration of climate reporting, focusing on corporate accountability and the connections between local and global environmental issues.
Deep dives
The Importance of Contextual Climate Coverage
Evlondo Cooper emphasizes the necessity of contextualizing climate events within overarching narratives, such as elections and extreme weather phenomena. He explains that while reporting on climate-induced disasters like Hurricane Helene or the hottest year on record, it is vital to connect these instances to broader climate change dialogues. This approach not only informs the public about current issues but also highlights the relationship between immediate weather events and long-term climatic shifts. By integrating these contexts, media can better equip audiences to understand the significance and implications of climate news.
The Power of Traditional Media in Climate Reporting
Despite the rise of independent and digital media, traditional broadcast and cable news still wield considerable influence over public perception and decision-making regarding climate issues. Cooper notes that decision-makers often consume information from these established networks, making their coverage particularly impactful. He highlights the importance of engaging with these platforms, as they continue to hold sway over significant viewer demographics, especially among older populations. The challenge remains for these outlets to adapt their coverage strategies to incorporate more comprehensive climate reporting.
Failures in Reporting Extreme Weather
Cooper highlights a concerning trend in the coverage of extreme weather events, particularly the inconsistency in linking these events to climate change. He notes that while there are some improvements in reporting on disasters like hurricanes and heat waves, the connections often remain superficial or entirely absent. The coverage frequently lacks depth and fails to communicate the long-term implications of climate-driven disasters. As such, there is a critical need for media outlets to evolve their reporting practices and create a more integrated approach to climate-related news.
The Role of Investigative Journalism in Climate Accountability
Cooper asserts that robust investigative journalism is essential for holding polluters accountable and unpacking the complexities behind climate-related issues. He advocates for a balanced approach in climate news that includes both immediate individual actions and industry accountability for environmental damage. The focus should shift from simplistic consumer choices to a deeper understanding of corporate responsibilities and systemic failures. By emphasizing this accountability, the media can help foster a more informed public that recognizes the broader implications of climate change.
Local Reporting and Global Issues
Cooper emphasizes the underreported connections between local environmental issues and global climate change, calling for media to bridge these gaps. He mentions how extreme weather patterns in one region transcend borders and require a united global response. By neglecting to cover global climate impacts and solutions, news outlets miss critical opportunities to inform their audiences about the interwoven nature of climate crises. Enhanced collaboration between local and national media can amplify important stories and provide more comprehensive coverage of climate challenges across different geographies.
We're back for one last episode of 2024 with our most frequent guest on The Climate Pod! Evlondo Cooper is back on the show to review how climate change was covered in mainstream media over the course of the year. In this conversation, Evlondo Cooper discusses the evolving landscape of climate media, why it remains critical to connect extreme weather events to climate change, and how that still continues to be absent from major news coverage. He highlights the power of mainstream media in shaping public perception and the role of independent media is increasingly playing in providing in-depth coverage. We also explore the commercialization of Earth Day, missing coverage of COP29, and the need for more year-round focus on extreme weather events and the integration of attribution science to enhance climate reporting.
As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and our Substack, The Climate Weekly.
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