In this age of #alternativefacts, it can be hard to feel confident in the media. You probably are pretty skeptical of news that you see, and you should be. Online platforms are important ways of being exposed to news. If you're reading this article, you probably accessed it from Facebook or Instagram, or linked from somewhere else online.
While some people might argue that online algorithms target news too much, you can use this to your advantage. If you 'like' certain news media sites, you will see their news appear in your feed. This definitely has the potential to be biased and one-sided, but if you pick the right news providers, you can be reading great articles about the latest climate news. Even in this day and age, there are some great independent and alternative news organisations working to bring you the facts. Not propaganda, not lies, not biased reporting- facts.
Wading through mainstream newspapers' websites for climate and environmental news can be frustrating, because that news is not their focus. In addition, the news in these papers is often pretty overwhelming and pessimistic- who wants to read for the millionth time about the polar ice caps melting? While that information is certainly true, there are articles you can read that will also give you the tools and inspiration to do something.
So, here are some suggestions for where to get trustworthy, informative, and empowering news about climate issues. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so make sure to keep reading and sharing your favorite independent news sites!
For your one-stop climate news:
Climatedesk.org
- For a comprehensive mix of several news sites, climatedesk.org is your go-to. This website is a "journalistic compilation" between fourteen different news providers, from The Atlantic to Wired. Instead of having to look at so many different sites for your news, you can get all in one by going to Climatedesk. And since their focus is just on climate, you can narrow your search even more by looking under subheadings like "Weather & Climate," "Food & Health," and "Energy & Tech"- instead of just one broad 'environment' section.
For activism news:
YES! Magazine
For those who want climate news with inspiring tips and strategies to work for solutions, YES! is one of the best sites (and also a physical magazine) out there. They also focus on other social justice issues, but one of their main sections is about the planet. You can learn how to engage with your community and read about what environmental justice action is going on in the world. Their tagline is 'Powerful Ideas, Practical Action'- so if you want your environmental facts with a hefty dose of empowerment and justice, YES! is a great bet.
350.org
If you want to participate in some environmental campaigns, but don't know how or where, 350.org will give you some direction. They will give you news about grassroots activism in your area and around the world. You can even search campaigns by region or by topic. So if it seems like no one is doing anything about the climate crisis, 350.org may make you think otherwise. (The name comes from the fact that a maximum of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is the safest for a livable planet).
For climate news with a bit of humor:
Grist.org
Grist is one of the best sites for climate news, and you won't be bored reading their articles. They focus entirely on environmental issues, with sections from 'Living' to 'Politics' and 'Justice.' Grist publishes some great investigative pieces, and they're not afraid to call out those who are inhibiting progress. They've also got a sense of humor, so you'll probably find yourself laughing a bit, somehow, while reading about environmental issues and learning about solutions.
For investigative climate journalism:
Motherjones.com
There's nothing but the facts at Mother Jones. This site (and print magazine) publishes independent investigative pieces about current issues. Though they are not wholly focused on climate change, their 'environment' section will show you stories about current events, politics, and environmental justice that you might not have heard elsewhere. There's also some less serious pieces mixed in, and articles about positive environmental news. (Mother Jones also has a whole 'media' section, so you can actually read news about the media itself).
For firsthand climate science:
Natural Resources Defense Council (nrdc.org)
The NRDC is a non-profit that does environmental protection work all over the world. They have their own scientists and lawyers, so you know that their articles about climate science and policy are coming from experts. It's not all dry facts, though- there's also practical, step-by-step tips for how you can get involved. The NRDC definitely has an agenda, and it's to protect our air, land, and water; in other words, to fight climate change. You won't find any columns by climate change deniers here- but you want the facts, don't you?
And then of course, there's us! We're here to give you all the info you need to take action as an individual, whether that's through cutting down on food miles or food waste, to letting you know how you can keep you money from supporting the fossil fuel industry.
Andie Mitchell is a university student from the United States who studies environmental studies and international affairs. She's passionate about ecofeminism, sustainable food systems, and anything else that helps the earth in the fight against climate change.
[Images: Shutterstock]
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