Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Why we're all environmental journalists now

13/09/2021

Journalists have a unique role to play in changing the narrative around the worlds environmental breakdown and becoming an essential part of the solution. Hear from the course instructor of our series of free environmental journalism courses, Catherine Mackie, on why were all environmental journalists now.

I can remember the exact date I became an environmental journalist. It was 20 July 2007, the day I found myself quite literally up to my knees in the biggest environmental disaster to hit my city in a lifetime.

The torrential rain that day was relentless and unforgiving. It forced hundreds of families out of their homes as rivers burst their banks and floodwaters rose. Thousands of motorists spent a terrifying, cold night trapped in their cars watching the roads around them disappear under water.

I never acquired the job title of environmental journalist' but discovered, probably earlier than most that the environment was seeping into pretty much every story in my patch.

The great flood is an obvious environmental story but its ripples have been felt in so many stories since: anything from where to build homes to an increase in mental health problems. These aren't just local' stories anymore or disconnected issues about infrastructure and psychological trauma. They're linked to similar struggles facing communities around the UK and around the world. For reporters that means there is no such thing as just a local environmental story. Like wildfires, it's a global issue and you're reporting to the world.

What does that mean for local reporters on the ground? It means it's time to see the bigger picture. Climate change in particular is a global issue. Politicians will gather for Cop26, the next annual UN climate change conference in Glasgow in November 2021. For every reporter from Tirana to Skopje, it's your story.

If you think you're just a political, sport or general news journalist, it's time to think again. Stories from across the news spectrum are linked to environmental changes locally and the impact of climate change globally.

So, whenever a story lands on your desk, it's time to start asking, what's the environmental link? What you'll find is there is usually a much bigger narrative at work; from football pitches drying out as climate changes, or polluting factories escaping censure because of political corruption. Exposing those links will educate your audience on the biggest issue facing the planet, and help put into context why certain things are happening where you live.

So, whenever a story lands on your desk, it's time to start asking, what's the environmental link?

Catherine Mackie, editorial associate, Thomson Foundation

So welcome to the environmental beat. It can be dangerous, particularly if you're exposing corruption. It can be challenging if you're explaining climate science, but it can be rewarding when you're able to engage and educate your audience.

My one tip is don't forget to pack your wet weather gear. Back in the flood of July 2007, I spent a very wet night trapped in a caravan, with a camera operator and a sound engineer. But that's a story for another day.

#TFEnvironment

-- Play

-- --

How to become a better environmental journalist: Catherine was in conversation with The Third Pole on Twitter Spaces on 20th September, 2021, sharing insights, resources and tools to help journalists. This was followed by a Q&A with listeners. Listen to the conversation here. Follow @thomfound for more.

Related content

Environmental journalism | Why local matters: Sources Investigate local environmental stories and their possible links to climate change.

Environmental journalism | Why local matters: Storytelling Cover environmental stories and address climate change in a way that engages audiences.

Environmental journalism | Why local matters: Safety and security Learn how to stay safe online and when facing physical threats and intimidation.

Catherine Mackie Editorial Associate

About: Catherine is responsible for designing training programmes for Thomson Foundation and has been a senior journalist for more than 30 years.

Explore our projects across the globe
LINK: http://www.thomsonfoundation.org/latest/why-we-re-all-environmental-jo...
See more stories from thompsonfoundation

Most recent headlines

19/12/2025

FCC's Brendan Carr Stands Up for His Policies at Senate Hearing

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

19/12/2025

Nexstar Brand Studio Launches with 'My American Story Campaign'

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

19/12/2025

Nashville To Host 2026 AES Show

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

19/12/2025

NAB Launches Effort to Keep Live Sports on Broadcast Channels

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

19/12/2025

FCC Votes to Adopt New Rules for LPTV Stations

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

19/12/2025

Hearst Television Ups Mike Kronenfeld to VP, National Sales

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

19/12/2025

Ricardo Coke-Thomas Named Chair of Theater for Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Ricardo Coke-Thomas Named Chair of Theater for Boston Conservatory at Berklee The distinguished theater educator, director, and performer will join the Conser...

19/12/2025

December 18, 2025

Nanoparticle vaccine strategy could protect against Ebola and other deadly filoviruses Scripps Research scientists turn nanoparticles into virus showcases to ...

18/12/2025

SVG Campus Shot Callers: Kurt Sutton, Director of Broadcast Operations, Clemson University

SVG Campus Shot Callers: Kurt Sutton, Director of Broadcast Operations, Clemson ...

18/12/2025

Follow the Money Episode 2: Inside the Sports Media Biz with Sam McCleery and Steve Hellmuth

Follow the Money Episode 2: Inside the Sports Media Biz with Sam McCleery and St...

18/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Google Cloud's Anshul Kapoor on the Future of Generative Production' in Live Sports

SVG Sit-Down: Google Cloud's Anshul Kapoor on the Future of Generative Prod...

18/12/2025

The 2025 SVG Summit Draws Record Crowd for 20th-Annual Sports-Production Industry Homecoming in NYC

The 2025 SVG Summit Draws Record Crowd for 20th-Annual Sports-Production Industr...

18/12/2025

SBS's sports schedule sizzles in January with Dakar Rally, Kooyong Classic and Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

SBS's sports schedule sizzles in January with Dakar Rally, Kooyong Classic a...

18/12/2025

Montreal's Bell Centre elevates fan experience with Argo S

Canada's largest indoor arena has transformed its live production capabilities with a full ST 2110 infrastructure and Calrec's compact Argo S console. S...

18/12/2025

The Gauge: Mexico November 2025

During November, streaming's share of TV viewing in Mexico settled at 24.2%, an increase of 0.5 share points from the previous month. Disclaimer: YUMI TV,...

18/12/2025

The Gauge: Poland | November 2025

November continued the upward trend in television viewership. The significantly colder weather and a rich programming lineup encouraged viewers to spend more ti...

18/12/2025

Gracenote helps TV platforms go beyond the game and deliver more connected, visually rich sports hub experiences

As viewers turn to sports highlights, recaps and documentary programming, expand...

18/12/2025

NAB Once Again Urges FCC to Eliminate Ownership Rules

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

18/12/2025

Carr Stands Up for His Policies in Senate Hearing

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

18/12/2025

The HELM and ARRI announce strategic partnership to redef...

The HELM, a global expert in cinematic live broadcast and high-end production workflows, has entered a strategic partnership with ARRI, the renowned designer an...

18/12/2025

Cadena Melodia Upgrades to DHD SX2 Audio Production Conso...

Cadena Melod a de Colombia (Cadena Melod a), a long-established Colombian radio network, has chosen DHD audio SX2 production consoles for integration into the m...

18/12/2025

Czech TV Elevates Video Streaming with Harmonic

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that Czech Television (Czech TV), the public broadcaster of the Czech Republic, has teamed up with Harmonic to modernize...

18/12/2025

Broadcast Solutions Group acquires PMT Professional Motio...

Broadcast Solutions Group, a leading system integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast and media industry, has announced the acquisition ...

18/12/2025

Keepit named a Leader in IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Sa...

Keepit, the SaaS data protection company, announced today that it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS Data Protection 2025-2026 Vendo...

18/12/2025

Limecraft 2025 Version 8 adds User Controlled Notificatio...

Limecraft today announced the release of Limecraft 2025.8, the eighth and final major platform update of the year. This release strengthens daily workflows acro...

18/12/2025

creativespace Expands Footprint in the House of Worship M...

DigitalGlue is very grateful, especially at this time of the year, that its creative.space platform has expanded its footprint within the House of Worship marke...

18/12/2025

TAG Video Systems Celebrates Multiple APAC Award Wins for...

TAG Video Systems is proud to share that the company has recently received multiple industry recognitions across the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting its ongoing...

18/12/2025

NDI and Zoom team up to bring seamless connectivity to me...

NDI, the leading video connectivity standard for AV-over-IP, and Zoom, the AI-first collaboration platform, announce a strategic collaboration to integrate the ...

18/12/2025

YES and Synamedia extended deal backs Partner TV launch

Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced that it is extending its long-standing relationship with YES, the pay-TV subsidiary of the largest I...

18/12/2025

Riedel Builds Global Communication and Commentary Network...

Riedel Communications today announced it provided a fully integrated communications and commentary solution for the 15th National Games of China, supporting 56 ...

18/12/2025

Clear-Com Arcadia Central Station Links Toledo Walleye an...

When both the Toledo Walleye and Toledo Mud Hens play at home on the same night, communication between their respective production teams is essential. To stream...

18/12/2025

TMT Insights Focus Platform Recognized with TV Tech Best...

TMT Insights' new upstream media supply chain platform, Focus, was selected as a winner in the 2025 Media & Entertainment: Best in Market Awards in the TV T...

18/12/2025

Clear-Com Named Official Intercom Partner for NAMMs 125th...

Clear-Com is proud to announce its continued role as the official intercom supplier for the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage at The 2026 NAMM Show, taking place Januar...

18/12/2025

CES: NBCU Unveils New Cross-Platform Ad Tech Solutions, Capabilities

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

18/12/2025

2026 NAB Show Opens Registration, Unveils Major Program Enhancements

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

18/12/2025

YouTube Wins Global Rights to Stream the Oscars

Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard...

18/12/2025

PGA TOUR Studios Teams up with SES for Hybrid Content Distribution

Long-term agreement includes the SES SCORE platform and hybrid distribution worldwide to deliver more than 5,000 hours of golf tournaments annually featuring th...

18/12/2025

NVIDIA, US Government to Boost AI Infrastructure and R&D Investments Through Landmark Genesis Mission

NVIDIA will join the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Genesis Mission as a ...

18/12/2025

Master Clock Management with Segment Rulesets in WO Automation for Radio

Talk formats require careful clock management and system tools to ensure audio content aligns as intended. WO Automation for Radio's Segment Rulesets provid...

18/12/2025

Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Transformation and Growth

By Toni Coonce, CEO, WideOrbit As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on how much WideOrbit has evolved, not only in products and solutions but also...

18/12/2025

VEON Upgraded to Nasdaq Global Select Market, Enhancing Investor Visibility

18 Dec 2025 VEON Upgraded to Nasdaq Global Select Market, Enhancing Investor Visibility Dubai, December 18, 2025 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital o...

18/12/2025

Tribeca X Launches Inaugural Advisory Council, Teases 2026 Awards Jury, and Announces New Global Programming

December 18th, 2025 Tribeca X Launches Inaugural Advisory Council, Teases 202...

18/12/2025

Tribeca Becomes First Major Film Festival to Open Submissions to Social Media Creators

December 18th, 2025 As Tribeca Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary, Festival Expa...

18/12/2025

Sky Sports remains the exclusive home of the Masters Tournament, with more live coverage than ever before

Thursday 18 December 2025 Sky Sports remains the exclusive home of the Masters ...

18/12/2025

Teaser for Can This Love Be Translated' Previews a Heartwarming Romance To Open 2026

Back to All News Teaser for Can This Love Be Translated' Previews a Heartw...

18/12/2025

2025-11-18

Using the additive process of 3D printing, layer after layer gets printed until an object is as close to the final shape needed as possible. Historically, machi...

18/12/2025

RT Supporting the Arts 2025 Review | January 2026 Events

In 2025, RT proudly supported 185 arts and cultural events across the island of Ireland, reflecting significant growth since the scheme was re-launched in 2014...

18/12/2025

The RT Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year Nominees 2025 Revealed

RT Sports Awards 2025 live on RT One and RT Player at 8:05pm on Saturday 20 December On Saturday 20 December live on RT One and RT Player at the earlier t...

18/12/2025

RT lyric fm celebrates the Winter Solstice with a special Ambient Orbit live broadcast

RT lyric fm presents a very special Winter Solstice edition of Ambient Orbit, l...

18/12/2025

Now Generally Available, NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 72GB Blackwell GPU Expands Memory Options for Desktop Agentic AI

Top-notch options for AI at the desktops of developers, engineers and designers ...