Deadly Heat Waves, Drought and
Floods: Extreme Weather and
Public Interest in Climate Change
Andrew Freedman, Mashable Science Editor!
November 13, 2015!
Weather is not “just
weather” anymore
•
Weather is on steroids.!
•
It should not be covered as just a weather story
anymore.!
•
All weather is suspicious.!
•
Background conditions in which weather takes place
have changed.!
3 Key Numbers to Keep in Mind
•  8
inches!
•  7
percent!
•  29
years!
Covering Extreme Events •
Then (Pre-2014/2015): “No single extreme event can
be caused by global climate change.”!
•
Now: “This event is an example of the type of extreme
events that studies show are occurring more
frequently and with greater severity, due in large part
to manmade global warming.”!
•
Change the background conditions, change the
events.!
2015: In Uncharted Territory
•
One of the top 3 El Niño events on record.!
•
The Two Blobs.!
•
By far the hottest year since records began.!
Credit: WeatherBELL!
Credit: NOAA/CPC!
Indonesian Peat Fires
NASA!
NASA/GISS!
400 PPM!
California’s New Era!
Covering Extreme Events •
When covering some extreme events, such as heat
waves and heavy precipitation, it’s irresponsible NOT
to mention global warming’s role in your reporting.!
•
You WILL be criticized from all sides for doing so. !
Hurricane Patricia Covg.
Climate Angles Speed Up
It’s not all bad, is it?
•  Diplomacy
+ Ambition + Innovation!
Why Climate Coverage is Right
for Mashable
Millennials and Those Who Think Like
Them
.
50%
Mobile
While creating conversations
around the most pressing
topics of the day. !
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GLOBAL
Office
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Three Mashable articles
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**Source: Mashable
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Audience loves to geek out
Mashable
And committed to using
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Velocity
Lessons From the Trenches
•
Expect to get yelled at by all sides.!
•
Stick to science & society. !
•
Characterize uncertainty.!
•
Develop sources throughout climate community.!
•
Invest time/energy in learning new storytelling
techniques.!
Lessons From the Trenches
(Cont.)
•
Some of your best sources can be found in Twitter/FB
conversations. (Yes, even antagonistic ones.)!
•
NARRATIVE.!
•
Take advantage of new data and imagery sources.!
•
Examples…!
•
Data is your friend.!
•
Break down large scientific reports into digestible bits.!
Any Questions?!
mashable.com/climate
andrew@mashable.com
Twitter: @afreedma!