Well, 2021 is already off to a roaring start. A study released this month by NASA showed that 2020 tied with 2016 as the hottest year on record. The United States welcomed a new president who re-joined the Paris Agreement and announced actions to tackle the climate crisis. And the United Nations released the results of a new survey which found that more than two-thirds of those polled globally believe climate change is an emergency in need of four key policy solutions. So, as environmental reporters we have our work cut out for us! This year we’ll be bringing you new formats, trainings and reporting resources to help with your coverage. We recently established a new Ocean Media Network, and we have several webinars and grant opportunities coming up in February. Last, but not least, we’ll be looking for feedback, so send a note or follow us on FB, IG and Twitter to let us know what you’re thinking.
Training of Trainers Reaches More Grantees Than Ever
Earlier this month, EJN’s Asia-Pacific project brought together more than 50 participants as part of an annual Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop. The ToT is usually a multi-day, in-person workshop that allows staff, partners and current media grantees to join sessions that have ranged from storytelling to budgeting to security training. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we moved this year’s training online, allowing more grantees than ever to join and connect with one another.
The ToT sessions are led by specialists and in-house Internews experts, and the topics for our 2021 virtual gathering included essential subjects on managing media outlets, such as business sustainability, digital and physical security, fundraising and proposal writing.
The ToT is also an opportunity for participants to discuss emerging issues in environmental journalism. This year, EJN’s Executive Director James Fahn and Internews health expert Jaya Shreedhar led a conversation about the intersection of environment and public health, covering topics such as zoonotic diseases, pollution and climate change.
We’ll continue to provide updates on our media partners’ projects and will have more workshops and webinars on health and the environment in the year ahead.
Stories
Leonard Co: A Taxonomy of Justice
This three-part audio series from Puma Podcast looks at the rise and fall of one of the Philippines’ leading botanists. Leonard Co studied the country’s indigenous plants and trees for forest restoration projects – research particularly relevant now as those projects accelerate. But a decade ago, Co was killed by Philippine soldiers while leading a study in Kananga, Leyte. What was the impact of his research? How has the pursuit of justice for his murder gone, and what of the people who have made it their mission to take care of Philippine biodiversity? Listen and find out
Indonesia takes action, but forest fires continue
In recent years, Indonesia has devised policies and increased legal action in an effort to prevent the annual recurrence of forest and land fires and the noxious haze they produce. But the blazes keep flaring. KataData explores what’s driving the fires in this interactive story that kicks off our new Data Journalism web feature. Read more
Buzz of hope
We all love a story of resilience, and this one comes from the Sundarbans, where repeated encounters between tigers and forest-dependent communities have put livelihoods in jeopardy. Now, the West Bengal forest department has introduced a way for traditional honey gatherers to earn a living from beekeeping more safely, bringing new life to the region. EJN grantee Tanmoy Bhaduri brought us into 2021 with this story.
Webinars & Workshops
The Emerging Role of AI in Fighting Fisheries Crime: A Journalist’s Guide
Join EJN for a webinar that will discuss how AI and algorithms are changing the way we detect illegal activity in our oceans. Targeted at journalists, this webinar will also help reporters build their capacity for covering ocean issues and provide guidance on what open-source information is available to use. Register here.
Date: Thursday, February 4th | Time: 1pm in London
Policies to Protect our Planet: Priorities for the Biden administration
This webinar, featuring panellists from Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defence Council, a US-based environmental advocacy group, will explore policies President Joe Biden’s administration has proposed or taken action on already that could change the tide for biodiversity protection internationally.
Date: Thursday, February 18th | Time: 2pm in London
Renewable Energy in Karnataka: The prospects, problems & path forward
Karnataka is one of India’s leading states in the field of renewable energy. Where can it go from here? What are the obstacles and potential ways to overcome them? During this webinar, part of our new project on renewable energy reporting in India, experts will discuss these questions and offer story ideas for reporters to consider. Join us for a participatory workshop and Q&A. Registration details coming soon.
Organized by: Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and India Climate Dialogue
Date: Friday, February 26th | Time: 11.00 am
Opportunities
Ocean Story Grants
We’re now offering reporting grants to support the production of stories that will call attention to critical ocean issues. Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with experience in investigative reporting and covering environmental issues. We encourage applications from freelancer reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local and community-based. More information and to apply. Deadline: February 26th, 2020
Network
Ocean Media Network
EJN is excited to announce the launch of OceanNet, our new journalism network for reporters interested in writing about ocean issues. We’ve created a listserv where journalists and communicators can exchange news, tips, information and opportunities to cover all kinds of marine issues. Journalists and other communicators who are interested can register to join.
What we’re watching, reading, listening to…
Reading:
A solutions story from BBC’s Future Planet on how Lagos, the most populous city in Africa, is getting creative to stay afloat in the face of sea level rise and floods.
Watching:
This webinar from ICFJ with Luba Kassova, author of a recent a study that looks at how women’s perspectives are missing from the news and offers tips and recommendations on how to make up for the shortfall.
Listening to:
Kadal Osai FM 90.4, India’s first local radio channel for fisherfolk. The Hindustan Times reported late last year how this unique radio network was sharing information on everything from marine issues to folk songs sung by fishing communities. Then this month The Guardian picked up the story and explored how the station has built a devoted audience. Read more