Why We Need Better Climate Reporting And What Makes a Story Stick

To support your Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship application, we asked the Surge Africa team why this fellowship matters and what makes a great climate story.

Here’s what Hugh Momah, Surge’s Communications Officer, had to say:

The climate conversation is growing in scale and urgency, but media coverage often falls short. Not because the issue lacks relevance, but because it too often lacks clarity, connection, and community perspective. Stories are flattened into technical jargon, stripped of nuance and disconnected from the people most affected.

Too many reports miss the deeper questions:

What does climate change look like on the ground?
And how are people responding?

Why This Matters

It’s the thread between a flooded community in Niger State and a budget line in a multilateral pledge. The difference between a policy on paper and a solar panel on a roof. But without stories that localize these links, communities are left in the dark — sometimes literally.

This is where you come in. We need climate stories that aren’t just correct, but courageous, and go beyond the headlines to show what change looks like on the ground. Stories that complicate, illuminate, disrupt, and make people care.

And not just from seasoned journalists, but from local reporters, writers, radio producers, content creators, and community-based media makers who know their environments better than anyone.

You don’t need to be an expert to tell a powerful story. You just need clarity, curiosity, and the courage to ask better questions.

Ask yourself:

What’s happening around you that others are ignoring?
Who is creating solutions that aren’t being seen?
Where is policy falling short, and who is stepping in?

What Makes a Good Climate Story?

1. Start with People, Not Policy
The most powerful stories often begin with a voice — a farmer navigating unpredictable seasons, a young person building a clean tech startup in Lagos. Data matters, but your story should bring the audience into that moment.

2. Go Beyond the Obvious
Ask: What’s the real impact? Whether it’s a new development project or an environmental challenge, don’t be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions. Who benefits? Who is left behind? What are the gaps between mainstream media narratives and lived realities?

3. Context is Power
Climate is deeply political. Reporting should illuminate the broader systems: governance, colonial legacies, and economic policies. Readers don’t just need to know what is happening; they need to understand why.

4. Collaboration Wins
Some of the best investigations come from cross-border or cross-sector collaborations. Team up with data analysts, researchers, or community organizations to deepen the impact of your piece.

5. Don’t Just Translate, Transform
The best reporting doesn’t just “translate” complex frameworks — it reimagines them. Use visuals, metaphors, or narratives that local audiences can relate to.

We created the Climate Reporting Gap Initiative (CRGI) because we believe journalism can — and will — bridge the gap between climate challenges and climate justice.

So, if you’ve ever felt that the stories being told don’t quite reflect you or your community, then this initiative is for you.

Bring your voice. Bring your lens. Let’s change the narrative.