Assessing the state of climate-change reporting

There's growing acceptance of the notion that global climate change is a critical issue for humankind – that the earth’s resources, once considered infinite, are being shaped, depleted and morphed by humans – some human activities may imperil or others may improve the long-term survival of the human race. Many scientists think the window of time to change human behavior to avert potential famine or weather-induced migration and chaos may be quickly passing.

Profound changes to our global cultures, economies, food and health-care systems, local communities and lifestyles may be inevitable to mitigate, slow or reverse the effects of climate change. They are far more likely to happen -- peacefully and rationally -- if the participants in our emerging media "ecosystem" understand and communicate the opportunities, challenges and threats in a less episodic, more contextual way.

In Denver, from April 3-7, 2013, two different gatherings addressed the issue. The first was the Journalism That Matters convening at the University of Denver. The second was a breakout discuss at the National Conference for Media Reform.

Bill Densmore

Climate