2024 GLISA Small Grant: Reporting on Climate Adaptation in Marginalized Communities
Project Team
- Knight Center for Environmental Journalism (grantee)
- Michigan Interscholastic Press Association
- Planet Detroit



Project Summary
Although the field is improving, there is a lack of diversity in environmental reporting and journalism. This lack of diversity means news organizations aren’t able to fully report on complex issues like climate change. Furthermore, improving diversity in journalism will help news organizations better identify important stories that may otherwise be missed. Through this project, the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism will train a diverse cohort of student journalists who will infuse their experiences and perspectives into their climate stories. These stories will show greater nuance and a more comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities related to climate adaptation. Stories will recognize that marginalized communities suffer an unequal share of climate harm while also highlighting their efforts to adapt. This project aims to improve representation in climate reporting and influence public awareness and understanding across the Great Lakes region.
Anticipated Outcomes
- Employment for student reporters through the Knight Center’s Great Lakes Echo environmental news service
- An internship for one student at Planet Detroit
- A collection of ~50 published climate adaptation stories
- Presentations at the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association’s 2024 Summer Journalism Workshop reaching 200 high school students
- Presentations at the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association’s 2024 Fall Conference reaching 120 attendees
Anticipated Impacts
- High school and college students will be inspired to pursue climate reporting projects and careers.
- Journalists will have more capacity to fully and accurately report on climate change adaptation that leads to a great public understanding of climate threats and solutions.
- The overall field of journalism will develop into a workforce that better reports on climate adaptation and better represents issues related to equity and justice.
GLISA Contribution
GLISA funded this 2024 small grant project and will share ideas for potential organizations and stories to highlight. GLISA will also give climate 101 presentations to reporters and provide climate data to support stories.
Featured Stories
Explore stories written by students at the MSU Knight Center For Environmental Journalism and Planet Detroit Interns.
- Wisconsin officials ask the public to report algal blooms in Lake Superior by Anna Barnes | September 19, 2024
In Summer 2024, Planet Detroit hired a journalism intern, Jada Vasser, to report on climate adaptation. Jada’s stories focused on health and environmental impacts on the Black community in Detroit.
- Arts & Scraps: Reusing Detroit’s materials to combat climate change – Jada Vasser | June 3, 2024
- Detroit deaf and hard of hearing kids have a role in climate resilience – Jada Vasser | June 14, 2024
- Detroit parks inspire Marcus Elliot’s award-winning musical project – Jada Vasser | August 12, 2024
To read more of Jada’s stories, visit the Planet Detroit Story Archive.
- Michigan dam removal could improve environment, recreation and storm protection by Elinor Epperson | May 15, 2024
- Reporting on climate change impacts on marginalized communities by Wajeeha Kamal | May 2, 2024
- Climate change, other pollutants boost mercury’s Great Lakes health threat by Kayla Nelsen | April 9, 2024
- Record low Great Lakes ice jump-starts Michigan’s severe weather season by Clara Lincolnhol | March 21, 2024
- Are Great Lakes cities ready for climate migrants? by Kayla Nelsen | March 18, 2024
- Ohio roads reflect tumultuous winter weather by Elinor Epperson | March 8, 2024
- Ontario anglers watch their ice fishing community melt. Is there hope? by Daniel Schoenherr | March 5, 2024
- Endangered piping plovers face climate change challenges by Clara Lincolnhol | February 21, 2024
- The Midwest’s “first climate change-driven disaster” is documented in a new book. Can we learn from it? by Daniel Schoenherr | February 19, 2024
- Faced with COVID-era civil rights complaints, Chicago commits to environmental justice by Wajeeha Kamal | February 9, 2024
- Preserving Minnesota’s bogs could fight climate change by Kayla Nelsen | February 8, 2024
- Smart buoys help brace Great Lakes for environmental challenges by Daniel Schoenherr | January 30, 2024
Project Contacts
- Knight Center for Environmental Journalism: Eric Freedman, Director, freedma5@msu.edu
- GLISA: Tori Field, Sustained Engagement Specialist, gravesvi@umich.edu