The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and the media play a key role in shaping public awareness. It is through the media that society understands the scale and consequences of climate change, as well as the actions needed to counter it. To report on climate-related topics in a reliable and engaging way, journalists need both solid knowledge and the right tools.
In response to this need, we developed a comprehensive training program that helps journalists better understand the climate crisis and communicate information about it in a reliable, clear, and effective manner. The project was made possible thanks to the support of JournalismFund, which recognized the importance of strengthening the media in the face of the challenges of modern journalism.
We began the project with in-depth interviews with journalism experts, which helped identify the key needs and greatest challenges faced by the media in reporting on climate issues.
Based on the information collected, we created a training program to which we invited Poland’s two largest radio stations: Polskie Radio and Radio ZET. Our program, “A Month with the Climate”, consisted of four thematic sessions led by renowned experts. Each session combined theoretical foundations with practical tools, allowing journalists to deepen their understanding of:
Nearly one hundred journalists from the newsrooms of Polskie Radio and Radio ZET took part in the training sessions. Survey results show that the program significantly improved participants’ knowledge and preparedness to report on climate-related topics, in areas such as:
One of the most visible outcomes of the project was supporting Polskie Radio in launching the first regular climate news service in Poland. Our training showed that well-designed educational programs have a measurable impact on journalists’ knowledge and can contribute to changes in how key topics are presented.
The training sessions are just the beginning. To support journalists in their everyday work, we are making available on the platform www.polskadlaklimatu.pl a set of educational materials developed based on our workshops. These include lecture recordings, presentations, key recommendations, and additional resources that editorial teams can use in their work.
