Journalists Say Florida Is ‘Ground Zero’ For Climate Change. Here’s What They’re Doing About It

News organizations across the Sunshine State have teamed up to report on climate change as a collaborative effort. The network — including The Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald and WLRN public radio, among others — will share resources and stories that dive deep into the issues presented by climate change.

Miami Herald climate reporter Alex Harris (@harrisalexc) says climate change in Florida “touches every facet of our lives down here.” Residents see how rising sea levels and flooding is impacting their families, homes and wallets, she says.

Tampa Bay Times executive editor Mark Katches (@markkatches) agrees, saying climate change is top of mind for many Floridians. “The fact is, this is ground zero for the impacts of climate change in the state, in the country, [and] in the world.”

The newsrooms’ collaborative aims to bring comprehensive coverage to something that the state “is going to be reckoning with” for the “foreseeable future,” Katches says.

“We see this as the most pressing and biggest issue of our lives and of our children's lives,” he says. “And we want to bring rigor and collaboration to how we cover it here in the state.”