As fluctuating temperatures and destructive natural disasters
increasingly create global crises, it is clear that "climate change" is
no longer just a phenomenon discussed by scientists. The topic of
extreme weather is at the forefront of local and international news
coverage.
The Climate Change Journalism Virtual Fellowship, a joint program of the
United Nations Foundation and the International Center for Journalists
(ICFJ), will give 10 professional journalists from Europe, Asia and
Africa who do not regularly cover the environment the opportunity to
speak with high-level, global experts on climate change and its effects
on our environment, health and economies. The journalists will
participate in virtual briefings with these experts on September 3,
2014.
In addition to the high-level briefings, selected journalists will
learn how to report on climate issues from a variety of angles,
incorporating data into their stories to produce evidence-based coverage
of this critical issue and its growing impact.
These fellowship will help the journalists develop a better
understanding of this complex topic and inspire follow-up reporting on
the issue during and after the United Nations Climate Summit on
September 23, 2014
After the virtual briefings, the 10 journalists will be asked to
submit story ideas based on the information they learned during the
online event. The three journalists with the best ideas will each
receive a $1,000 story grant to pursue reporting on climate change in
their regions. These reporting projects must be completed by December 1,
2014.
Criteria for the fellowship:
- Journalists based in Europe, Asia or Africa who work full-time for a local or international news outlet (print, online, and/or broadcast)
- Preference will be given to journalists who do not regularly cover climate change and the environment
- Fluency in English is required
- Written commitment from employer to publish at least one story after the fellowship that is related to climate change and its impact
- Written commitment from applicant to participate in the full program of virtual briefings on September 3, 2014
