Climate Change Nebraska, a yearlong student depth-reporting project at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, announced today the unveiling of a powerful, dynamic website on climate change in Nebraska: Climate Change 2020 - What Could It Mean for Nebraska?
In a first-of-its-kind depth-reporting effort, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications opened a rigorous application process in fall 2019 to all UNL students. Twenty students drawn from seven different colleges representing 13 different majors were selected for the spring 2020 semester of the project, led by Pike Professor of Journalism, Joe Starita, award-winning author and two-time Pulitzer Prize award nominee. A 2017 depth-reporting project, The Wounds of Whiteclay: Nebraska’s Shameful Legacy, was the first college entry ever to win the Robert F. Kennedy Humanities Foundation Grand Prize.
“There’s seldom been a more important time for good journalism than right now, and we are excited to give our students an opportunity to explore one of the globe’s most vital issues in a way that can both inspire and educate our readers,” Starita said.
With a mission to inspire and educate, students in January 2020 began reporting on multiple complex problems associated with climate change – including its impact on Nebraska’s agriculture, livestock, wildlife, public health, waterways, national defense and religions.
“Being a part of Climate Change Nebraska has been one of the most rewarding and empowering experiences I have ever had,” said Aila Ganic, a sophomore political science major who co-wrote an article on eco-anxiety. “With this project, we were able to depict what climate change means for our Nebraskan community in such a way that all Nebraskans can see themselves and their experiences in at least one story.”
Students in the fall 2020 semester, including Lindsay Johnson, a Ph.D. candidate in natural resources specializing in climate, will focus primarily on potential solutions to a variety of climate change issues –including renewable energy sources, sustainability initiatives, no-till farming, carbon sequestration, nuclear fusion and stronger environmental laws.
“It’s inspiring to work along all of these amazing and diverse students, many of whom are younger than me, who represent the next generation of thinkers and activists,” said Johnson, who wrote a detailed story on the science of climate change. “This project has been challenging but remarkably rewarding in that it has reinvigorated my passion for engaging with others to tackle this enormous challenge.”
The project partnered with Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Community Foundation to plan public town halls and events to discuss the climate change issue. The student-produced news content is also expanding as an instructional tool across Nebraska middle and high school classrooms.
“Climate change poses serious challenges to all Nebraskans. These stories will help educate the public and our leadership,” said Don Wilhite, Ph.D., UNL drought and climate science professor emeritus. “My hope is that these stories will recast the narrative about climate change and lead to long overdue action to address the challenges before us while taking advantage of opportunities.”
Visit all of the latest student-produced news and content at climatechangenebraska.com as well as on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
