In analyzing the article “How Climate Migration Will Reshape America” by Abraham Lustgarten, there is an important discussion on the effects of climate change for all Americans. The novel The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel examines the importance of knowledge and facts in a democratic state in saying, “The quality of our democratic life depends, in short, on the public having the facts and being able to make sense of them. And that, even in a networked age, requires journalists” (8 Kovach and Rosenstiel). I feel that the article by Lustgarten represents this concept perfectly, in that he presents the facts about climate change thoroughly and invites the reader to create change with this newfound knowledge. When reading the article, I examined the implementation of the core elements of journalism (as outlined in the novel by Kovach and Rosenstiel) and how they are all represented.
The first core element of journalism I will examine is the journalist’s obligation to the truth. The article gives plenty of statistics and data regarding the climate crisis, specifically referencing the current wildfires, droughts, rising sea levels, and the relocation of several thousand Americans in response. The inclusion of data and statistics serves to specify the seriousness of climate change and just how bad things are getting. Saying that climate change will have a direct impact on 162 million Americans, nearly 1/2 of the population sounds much more serious than climate change will affect many Americans. Putting direct numbers on sea level rise, temperature increase, storm intensity, and the acreage of wildfires damage outlines the effect that climate change has and will have on the environment unless serious actions are taken to mitigate climate change. By informing the general public of these issues, the public can then apply pressure on politicians to create change and lessen human’s impact on the environment for the good of all.
Secondly, it is important that the journalist remains loyal to the best interest of citizens. The author investigates the climate crisis from the perspective of a Californian citizen, citing his own experiences living in California and trying to understand the effects of climate change on the American life.
Lustgarden also exemplifies the discipline of verification in this article. He repeatedly references climate experts and even states, “I interviewed more than four dozen experts: economists and demographers, climate scientists, and insurance executives, architects and urban planners”. By including this, the reader then feels that the information being presented is thoroughly validated and truthful.
One of the only core values that I feel cannot be met is independence of coverage. Climate change affects everyone on our planet. So, in that sense, it would be very difficult for a journalist to remain independent, the author included. He even briefly describes his own experiences and thought process with climate change. In a way, by including his own opinion on climate change, it makes the reader feel as though the author is one of the people, as effected by climate change as everyone else, making the reader feel more in common with the author.
Additionally, the author identifies the lack of political direction from America’s lawmakers despite the bipartisan public’s growing concern on climate change. Policymakers have failed to give direction and provide security for those already dealing with the effects of climate change (i.e. the fires, flooding of coastal cities, poor air quality, etc.). The author identifies that perhaps policy change may only be made when climate change threatens the middle and upper classes rather than just the least fortunate. This meets both core values of monitoring power and creating a forum for public criticism in that by presenting the public with this information, the reader may then make their own decisions on how to react, whether it be applying pressure to policymakers, or even simply bring the discussion of climate change into their own communities.
The author does an excellent job presenting this significant information in an interesting and relevant way. Throughout the article, the author paints vivid and captivating imagery of the impending reality climate change is creating for all Americans. The author lays out this dystopian-esque future that is impossible to ignore, as any and all Americans will be impacted in one way or another.
Lustgarden also makes sure to present the news in a way that is comprehensive and proportional. I think to some, it may seem that the author is exaggerating the future of climate change and the effects of global warming because of the grim way it is painted, however, there is no denying the science presented. A devastating future will become reality if there is not significant change made. At first, it may seem horrifying and sensationalized, but this is the reality we face unless climate change mitigation is made.
Lastly, Lustgarden fulfills the obligation to exercise his personal conscience. He clearly exercises his moral duty to inform the reader about the perils of climate change. Climate change is an issue that affects all of us, regardless of race, gender, class, and sexual orientation. It is in the best interest of the public to become as educated as possible on climate change as they will be affected in one way or another. It is vital that the public takes this information and press lawmakers to create policy change to combat climate change.
Overall, I would say that this piece definitely meets the standard of “the literature of civic life”, as it expertly served the purpose of informing and including the public in a major worldly issue. The author meets nearly every core element of journalism and expertly exemplifies the duty of the journalist to uphold the integrity of the nation’s democracy. He presents the public with the facts and therefore allows them to form their own opinions on a solution.
