Climate Adaptation Story Reaches Tipping Point

Special Report

The idea of humans adapting to climate change may not be new, but what is new is an emerging sense from many quarters that it is now imperative. In July, President Obama pushed adaptation as a big part of his climate change policy. A month earlier, the nation’s most populous city, New York, released a massive report outlining hundreds of recommendations costing billions of dollars to make its coastal reaches more resilient. Many smaller communities in the United States and abroad are acting on adaptation as well, and reporters are starting to pick up the thread.

The editors of the SEJournal have brought together this special report on climate change adaptation to help environmental journalists to better understand and cover this growing topic. Top-notch beat reporters share how to best get at the nuts and bolts of adaptation in coastal communities and agricultural ones, a leading communications thinker shares insights into the “message” of adaptation, and we provide snapshots of a few of the many noteworthy adaptation projects, as well as the special challenges faced in one developing nation.

Part One: The Dirt on Ag & Adaptation
By CHRIS CLAYTON

Part Two: Adaptation Snapshots
By DONALD BORENSTEIN

Part Three: Get Feet Wet on Coastal Adaptation
By KATE SHEPPARD

Part Four: Adopting Climate Adaptation Messages
By LEE AHERN

Part Five: Ugandan Farmers Face Climate Adaptation Challenges
By LISA MEERTS-BRANDSMA

* From the quarterly newsletter SEJournal, Fall 2013. Each new issue of SEJournal is available to members and subscribers only; find subscription information here or learn how to join SEJ. Past issues are archived for the public here.