2023 in telling stories on climate + environment

I entered 2023 determined to tell one climate story a month. Some months I produced nothing, other months I produced more than one. Some months, I could only storify from our podcasts and videos. During other months, I did the full length, researching, interviewing, writing and editing. There were months when I put on the editor's hat and collaborated with a writer.

I was only able to produce one long form story this year, but I was also able to produce an award-winning climate strategy for the newsroom. Both are proud moments for me.

I enjoyed my role as a member of the audience during COP28, reading stories by experts from across the screen. I figured this year's COP required an elite level of climate journalism than most COPs and I haven't even done most COPs, so there's an intention for next year.

It was an honor to talk climate with Myrza Sison on her podcast and Nikki Porter on RX 93.1, as being able to speak in an OCJN session on my birthday month and the climate journalism webinar of the European Broadcasting Union.

Below are some of the most noteworthy climate stories of 2023 I had a hand in.

(*means I was only an editor)

January:

1. Refilling method as a climate solution

2. A Filipino is appointed curator of climate by first UK museum to appoint such a role

February:

1. The role of museums in solving the climate crisis

2. How is the Philippines affected by melting glaciers due to climate change?

March:

1. ‘Ultimate no-brainer:’ UN officials, top scientists renew call for strong political action to address climate change*

April:

1. How the Mindoro Oil Spill can affect our fight against climate change

2. A Filipino artist traces connection of climate change to capitalism, colonialism in latest works

3. Microplastics are already present in Metro Manila air, study confirms

May:

1. Can solar panels cut electric bills and save money in the long run?*

2. Forests, Flood, Watershed, Life

October:

1. These paintings are made with pigments from pollutants found in Metro Manila air

2. Sinking islands of Bohol may already be 'uninhabitable' due to slow-onset sea level rise caused by climate change

3. Two Filipinas win at Youth4Climate Challenge in Italy!

November:

1. High traces of caffeine, paracetamol found in Philippine beaches, watersheds*

2. What happens if all the world's ice melted due to climate change?

3. Implementation of Philippine climate laws still lacking, says UN special rapporteur*

December:

1. Protected bike lanes can do more than just ease Metro Manila’s worsening traffic congestion*

In 2024, I plan to continue telling climate stories consistently. I'm keeping my cadence to once a month, if only to have a baseline.

I want to work with more climate +environment writers. I hope to get published internationally, too. I'm hopeful we will get that years-old Pasig River story published sometime in 2024.

In the meantime, I already have two long reads lined up for Q1, so help me God.