February 9, 2016 — Coral Davenport, energy and environment correspondent for The New York Times, discussed her coverage of climate change policy, how the beat is changing, and how to make the subject matter interesting and relatable to readers.

Davenport described how the story about climate change has shifted in recent years. After events such as drought in Australia and more extreme storms in the eastern U.S., climate change is no longer only a story about the future, but one about the present day. In the wake of the agreement reached at the COP21 conference in Paris, Davenport said she anticipates an increase in climate change policy coverage, and examined why the issue cannot be ignored by the current presidential candidates.

Davenport shared some of her techniques for making climate change issues relevant to readers, such as focusing on the effects on individuals, the financial impact on local communities, and covering the daily work of scientists to provide transparency for readers who may be skeptical of the science.

Sponsored by the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Environment and Natural Resources Program and the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. Co-sponsored by the HKS Energy & Environment PIC and The HKS Sustainability Initiative.