Discover How CBS News is Championing the Climate Connection: Insights and Impact

Recently, CBS News made headlines by emphasizing the direct effects of climate change on extreme heat in North America. This shift is crucial, especially given that, during the summer of 2024, only 12% of national TV news segments mentioned climate change, even as record high temperatures affected crops, workers, and overall public health.

David Schechter, CBS’s national environment correspondent, highlighted this connection in two impactful stories. His first piece featured Meghan Crow, a pregnant woman in Fort Worth, Texas. Schechter revealed that rising temperatures increase health risks for expecting mothers. Research from Climate Central indicates that women now face an average of 12 more extremely hot days each year, raising the risk of pre-term births and infant mortality.

In another story, Schechter introduced Angela Harmon, a cancer survivor struggling to keep her apartment cool in Texas’s oppressive heat. With proposed cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, she faces even greater challenges as climate change worsens heat waves. These personal stories resonate deeply and show how climate change touches everyone’s lives.

Since Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024, CBS has ramped up its climate coverage. Schechter and his team have delivered over 60 pieces on climate issues—addressing them as political, scientific, and consumer topics rather than solely environmental ones. This approach seems to foster more robust storytelling while navigating corporate pressures, following CBS’s tension with Trump’s lawsuit over a controversial interview.

One standout feature of CBS’s reporting is its ability to intertwine breaking news with climate content. This strategy not only broadens the discussion but also fosters awareness about climate-related impacts across various sectors. For example, when discussing tariffs, reporters find angles that link them to climate policy, bringing environmental issues into the broader news landscape.

Moreover, a study from the Pew Research Center reveals that a significant percentage of Americans believe climate change will impact their lives directly. Around 68% of people are concerned about extreme weather events tied to climate change, underscoring the need for more consistent media coverage on the topic. This public sentiment aligns with the increasing demand for media outlets to connect everyday experiences to climate reality.

As we move forward, aligning media narratives with the urgent voices of those affected by climate change will be essential. Continuous storytelling can shape public perception and drive meaningful discussions about policy and personal responsibility in facing this global crisis.

For those keen to explore more about climate coverage, check out [Covering Climate Now](https://coveringclimatenow.org/) for a collection of resources and stories aiming to elevate the conversation around climate change and its consequences.

Source link