Impact Stories

The audio department of Agence France-Presse partnered with The Conversation, a digital media publisher of journalism content written by academics and researchers, to produce “Sur la Terre,” an award-nominated podcast with increasing levels of audience engagement exploring solutions to overcome climate and ecological crises. One podcast episode focused on Caminando, a rural primary school southeast France’s Drôme region where children are taught a curriculum different from those of mainstream educational institutions that emphasizes human beings’ relation to the natural world. Taking stock of the story’s data showing the effectiveness of Caminando’s teaching methods, the principal of the area’s main high school, Gerald Bennetot-Deveria, reached out to develop a connection between the two institutions, including receiving training on nature-enhanced learning for its teachers. He also wrote to local officials of the Education Ministry to ensure the nature-focused school continued receiving financial support.

A coalition of funders have found value in the Great Salt Lake Collaborative's mission and solutions journalism focus, donating money to ensure it continues operating through 2024. Six large institutional donors, including two universities and local and environmental groups, are among the funders. Between March and May 2024, an individual donor fundraising campaign raised $10,000, which was matched by the local Audubon Society.

In California’s capital, The Sacramento Bee, the largest local legacy newspaper, has been pursuing coverage of local climate solutions since the spring of 2023. In December of that year, the publication initiated a highly original community engagement approach by giving three $5,000 grants to local groups eager to develop an array of initiatives across the region. Fast-forward six months, and The Bee’s reporters produced stories on pollinator gardens developed in schools by students, a school compost program that could nurture a garden and a new agricultural program based on the principles of regenerative agriculture. Emilie Stigliani, The Bee’s assistant managing editor, said the “goal was to engage [supporters of the project]” and “explore how climate intersects with beats across the newsroom.”

Colleen Hagerty has found success and inspired confidence while reporting on wildfires, their consequences, and what can be done about them. One of the solutions articles she wrote, “The Government Set a Fire in New Mexico. It Burned 341,735 Acres,” garnered a tip from someone working in prescribed fires who she said “was only comfortable doing [it] since he could see my deep understanding of the subject and desire to show the complexities of it.” Another source said the piece “sparked a positive conversation with his neighbors about sharing details of what has gone right, not just what has gone wrong, in the fire recovery process in their community.” She also did a Q&A to respond to interest from the audience for her newsletter “My World’s on Fire.” This reporting also led to a collaboration with the HotHouse newsletter to create a practical guide for people who want to engage with the process of prescribed fire in their neighborhoods.

A 2024 academic article titled “Beyond the Classroom: Evaluating Solutions Journalism Education From the Perspective of University Graduates,” and published by Kyser Lough, Karen McIntyre and Kate Roff in the Journalism & Mass Communication Educator journal, demonstrated the benefits of solutions journalism for career prospects. The research stated: “A high portion of participants indicated that their solutions journalism education helped secure employment, and 80% of participants said that the practice had an impact on their careers. Half of the participants shared that solutions journalism was discussed in the interview process for their position, was part of their hiring process or employment advertisement, and/or strengthened their resume. [...] Solutions journalism education also shaped graduates’ career trajectory, the publications they targeted in job searches, and/or their level of satisfaction with their work.”

The Day, a daily publication based in New London, Connecticut, covering the eastern part of the state, raised $100,000 in support of its Housing Solutions Lab. The editorial project has led to the production of solutions-oriented stories such as “Branford Manor residents make a difference with mold complaints.” The revenue generated came from the local community foundation The Day had received financial support from previously, an organization referred by the first foundation, and an audience-focused fundraising campaign. The Day participated in the Lab for Journalism Funding organized by the Local Media Foundation, which also acts as fiscal sponsor for the news organization.