The Solutions Project [1], a US nonprofit that funds & amplifies climate justice solutions created by frontline communities, is releasing its fifth annual report on Climate Solutions Narrative Trends (CSNT), tracking the extent to which coverage of climate issues — including renewable energy, water, and food systems — focuses on equity, highlights community-led solutions, and features women as spokespeople. You can download the report here [2].
You're invited to join an Instagram Live conversation on the findings on May 9, 2023 at 3pm ET, hosted on The Solutions Project’s Instagram [3].
The strategy and communications firm Conspire for Good analyzed 7,250 news and opinion articles and 3,900 top-engagement social media posts, all published in 2022 and focused on climate solutions. Highlights from this year’s report are below.
Highlights from this year’s report
- Again in 2022, of articles that quoted or referenced a person, a majority of them quoted a woman.
- Coverage trends show the federal government acting on climate change and climate solutions, while states, communities, and advocates call for more effort and investment.
- Of the 1220 articles that mentioned communities of color, 52% included solutions, compared to 46% of articles that did not mention communities of color.
- For the first time, articles referencing issues of equity or justice fell in 2022 to 27% for renewable energy coverage.
- Coverage of electric vehicles and charging station infrastructure appeared in almost 10% of all renewable energy coverage. Public transportation was mentioned in less than 2%.
- 40% of articles about contaminated water referenced equity and justice or communities of color.
- Movements and local communities were positioned as leading on food system issues more than the federal government.