The climate crisis is one of the most urgent issues of our time. Yet, narratives about climate change often fail to point out that everything — from the extreme weather events and the inequalities it will exacerbate, to climate migration — have disproportionate impacts on communities of color. This applies more broadly to environmental coverage, and is a coverage gap that newsrooms have yet to address.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know that. So what’s next?
We want to bring diverse voices to the forefront of environmental reporting. As a network, we’re dedicated to advancing the careers of journalists of color who’ve been historically underrepresented in this field, imbuing journalistic coverage with critical and fresh perspectives. The Uproot Project will connect its member journalists with publications, offer training, and build community as we navigate the work ahead reporting on the environmental crises of our time.
The Uproot Project is open to journalists of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds, but its goal is to uplift and support journalists of color who have been underrepresented in the journalism industry for far too long. Our group is currently funded by and assisted operationally by Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. While we plan to one day operate independently, our first priority is to establish the network, welcome new members, and build a network that transforms who tells the stories of one of the most important issues of the century.