When Climate Is a Health Story: From Local to Global, How Climate Journalism Can Elevate the Health Story at the Heart of the Climate Crisis

The climate crisis is a health crisis that demands corresponding policy responses. It is a narrative that can be told as a series of stories of tangible impact: existing health threats will intensify, and new health threats will emerge as the planet warms. Journalists reporting on climate change and health can help the public and policymakers gain a better understanding of climate impacts as well as the health arguments for climate action.

This panel discussion held at COP28 focuses on the inextricable linkages between the health of people, animals, and ecosystems and ways to communicate and amplify this critical narrative.

Speakers

– Ana Carolina Amaral : Specialist writer for Folha de S. Paulo, Executive member of the Brazilian Environmental Journalism Network, and journalism fellow at Internews and Wellcome Trust

– Chiamaka Okafor: Senior journalist for Premium Times, Nigeria, recently completed a six-month fellowship with the Oxford Climate Journalism Network, and currently a Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) and Earth Journalism Network fellow.

– Joydeep Gupta: Media trainer for EJN, editor-at-large for The Third Pole, Manager, EJN India

– Alice Bell: Head of Policy, Climate, and Health at Wellcome Trust, PhD in Science Communication

The discussion is moderated by Ida Jooste, Internews’ Senior Health Media Adviser and award-winning journalist based in South Africa.