Environmental Journalism

The field seems noble in essence – writing for advocacy and positive change. Yet sometimes it just feels like people don’t give a damn.

Yeah, the environment could use some work, and yeah, I’m against industrial persecution on nature. It seems like millions share this mentality. But what is actually being done about it?

I bring up this topic because I am interested in the field and I find myself questioning my career goals. Will I be contributing to a fad that people outwardly care about but rarely believe in enough to engage in action?

I spent this past weekend in Lake City, Mich. at the Harvest Gathering music festival. But this was no ordinary music festival. It was hosted at the farm of one of the musicians (Seth Bernard) on the Earthwork Music label – a collection of local folk artists that promote environmental consciousness through their music.

I admire these people, and they inspire me immensely, primarily because they can accomplish something in a weekend that most environmental journalists dream to in a career. For instance, by addressing concern for nature between sets and distributing pamphlets, they got hundreds of concert-goers to mail petitions to Governor Granholm protesting sulfide mining at the Yellow Dog Watershed in the U.P.

If only journalists had the ability to invite hundreds of guests to their homes and put on an entertaining display of their work. Instead of reading, the public would be listening. And instead of thinking, the public would be doing.

Is an environmental journalist’s work frivolous in a time where people are so entrenched in their own lives? What separates this type of journalist’s work from most others is that it has to impact whole communities. It seems pointless if only a few people are affected by their work.

So this may be a daunting task for the environmental journalist, but it is necessary. If you ask me, their work is vital and the future depends on it.