Over the last decade, natural disasters have become increasingly severe, frequent, and dangerous and have impacted more and more people around the world. Wildfires have ravaged nations and terrorized towns; coastal ecosystems have been damaged — some beyond repair, impacting our fishing industries, tourism, and other wildlife; and island nations and coastal communities have seen their land wash away and disappear as if it was never there. But even as more people take notice of the changes wrought by the climate crisis, our governments’ responses have been lackluster and our media landscape has failed to reflect the reality on the ground.
These changes have already been affecting low-income, coastal, and Indigenous communities for decades, even as community leaders have called for decisive international climate action — calls that have too often gone unheeded. While it is understandably easy to turn to despair amid this crisis, those who are most affected by these changes do not have that luxury, and are instead seeking out innovative, community-based climate solutions. Global Voices hopes to promote these stories of resilience by reporting on environmental stories through an intersectional lens that prioritizes local knowledge and experiences.
To that end, our community has established the Green Voices initiative — a collective of environmentally focused journalists, translators, and stakeholders who seek to use our global perspective to raise awareness about environmental issues and those affected by them. Green Voices meets virtually twice a month to discuss environmental news in our communities, identify underrepresented voices, plan our coverage of these topics, and offer support in a field that can often feel overwhelming. In a true Global Voices spirit, we believe that insightful journalism is made possible by community, companionship, and collaboration.
Each month, approximately 15–20 percent of Global Voices’ articles address environmental challenges or advocacy efforts around the world. We are committed to sharing underreported stories about the climate crisis and environmental exploitation, with a particular focus on rural communities and local initiatives guided by women and Indigenous groups aimed at preserving, bolstering, or rehabilitating the environment. We leverage Global Voices’ international community to report on issues that are often reduced to abstract data with nuance, humanity, and a local perspective.
Some stories that have grown out of Green Club collaborations include “How a swimming pool became Puerto Rico's symbol of climate change and corruption,” “Kanal Istanbul, Turkey's Middle Corridor, and the Belt and Road Initiative,” and “How Assamese Villages use traditional wisdom to guide climate preparedness.” Our stories explore these issues from an intersectional perspective, revealing how environmental issues can impact women, youth, people with disabilities, and vulnerable populations, and can exacerbate existing inequalities.
If you would like to participate in Green Voices or join the discussion, email our green club coordinator Sydney Allen!
See some of our recent environmental stories below.
Stories about Green Voices from March, 2022
The climate consequences for Nepal of the war in Ukraine
The Ukraine crisis is likely to sideline the climate goals of Nepal for the next few years; however, this may be an opportunity to phase out fossil fuels.
Climate justice for women’s rights
“Women are often the first to see the negative effects of climate change because they work with the soil and are dependent on it, especially outside cities.”
In Mongolia, awareness about pollution needs to be boosted to prevent further degradation
While Mongolia is vast and host few people, pollution is real. One of the main problems is the lack of environmental awareness among many Mongolians.
‘Ancestral medicine offers a renewed hope for life,’ says Afro-Ecuadorian healer
An interview with María Eugenia Quiñónez Castillo, an Afro-Ecuadorian ancestral healer.
New regulations in Turkey sacrifice olive groves for mining operations
The regulations have sparked a backlash, with lawsuits filed to overrule a decision civil society believes will do long-term damage to olive groves and natural protected areas.
Francia Márquez: The Afro-Colombian leader making a groundbreaking run for president
Despite death threats, this Afro-Colombian leader is writing a new chapter in the history of her country.
Unearthing unknown details motivates me to write
Sanjib Chaudhary, a writer, blogger, translator and a Global Voices author, takes us on a journey from writing advertising copy to writing articles and fiction for a global audience.
Japan confronts the problem of ‘mega solar’
Some residents who live nearby say these "mega solar farms" destroy the environment and bring few benefits to surrounding communities.
Koalas face bleak future after being listed as endangered
"The primary driver of koala population decline is the clearing of its habitat. No amount of money can save koalas unless we tackle this".
Redefining identities: Land encroachment in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province
Trincomalee’s claim to being at the centrality of Sri Lanka’s pluralistic and multicultural identity continues to be re-interpreted as a place homogenous to one race, one religion, one ethnicity.