The Columbia Climate School hosted a Signature Speaker Series event with Andrew Freedman called “Going to Extremes: Life on the Front Lines of Climate Journalism” this past Tuesday in celebration of Earth Month.

On Tuesday, April 9, the Columbia Climate School sponsored the event of the Signature Speaking Series, a distinguished program that invites leading experts and leaders to discuss and share insights on pressing climate-related topics.

The Columbia Climate School aims to “further knowledge and educate leaders to achieve equitable and just solutions” as a result of environmental and climate-related issues. Alexis Abramson, the dean of the School and a Professor of Climate, provided opening remarks to the audience.

This week’s speaker features Andrew Freedman, an award-winning Senior Climate Reporter for Axios and an author of the daily Axios Generate newsletter, covering climate science and the environment. He was previously an editor for the Washington Post. Freedman holds a Masters in Climate and Society from Columbia University and a Masters in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts.

Freedman began with sharing stories that he pursued in his two-decade career as a reporter. It began with the most difficult, yet simple question he has ever come across: “How are you doing?” It was asked by his psychologist, regarding his treatment of climate anxiety. Climate change isn’t easy to cover. He touched on the real and false hopes, constantly changing science and policy developments, and the brutal realities of the atmosphere. As he was trying to grapple with deadlines, he found himself battling with his own anxiety.

He also shared humorous stories of his interviews with some of the most talented people in journalism today, as well as high ranking officials from the U.S. and abroad. Some include the Prime Minister of Australia asking him for directions, or running into the President of Finland on three separate occasions.

One of the most significant stories that comes to mind, however, is the one he edited with a team of people at Mashable. It set out to share the lives of the people affected by American nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. It was also the last story that his friend and colleague, journalist Kim Wall (JRN ’13, SIPA ’15), wrote. She was tragically murdered aboard a submarine in Denmark in August 2017. He retold how his colleagues had to edit their deceased friend’s words and bring this impactful story to publication. Ultimately, her article won the most prestigious award from the Society of Environmental Journalists.

Freedman approaches journalism at Axios by looking at the world differently, taking huge quantities of information before thinking about the audience first. There are possibilities to get dismissed or replaced by AI, but he hopes that won’t be anytime soon. The challenges are immense, but reporters must stay focused. Media companies are currently trying to adopt stances on AI, improve reporters’ capabilities, and take legal actions against copyright infringement.

He advocates for the importance of journalists, recognizing that others don’t really get the opportunity to talk to people in power, represent the public, and ask the most touching questions. Journalism has given him the opportunity to combine interests in fields such as meteorology, aviation, political science, geography, climate science, and policy. 

The most disastrous events he’s recently had to cover include Hurricane Sandy, Super Typhoon Haiyan, and Hurricane Helene. He’s even covered heat waves, such as the Pacific Northwest Heat Wave of 2021 and the recent California wildfires. These, he said, are examples of the most significant events that “pushed climate change to the forefronts of the national conversation.”

He emphasizes the gravity of our current climate: the oceans are warming and heat waves are reaching unprecedented levels. With this, though, we are each able to play a significant role in tackling climate change. Even with the political instability, hardships, and migration, he wants to write and understand more, especially during such a staggering and frustrating moment in our lifetime. 

The event concluded with Freedman strongly emphasizing the importance of reporting even during these moments, because it’s important to keep sharing and discussing the intricacies of what’s happening regarding the world’s climate. As daunting as it may seem to enter the media, he encourages everyone to interact with it in any way possible. 

The Signature Speaker Series has several events scheduled until the end of April.

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