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 June, 2022
The Caribbean's ‘looming’ food security storm suddenly seems more threatening
It is estimated that there are as many as 2.8 million people — nearly 40 percent of the population — suffering from food insecurity in the English-speaking Caribbean, most of them from low-income households.
Climate change and rapid urbanization blamed for the worst flood in over a century in northeastern Bangladesh
Heavy rainfall in the hills of neighbouring India caused flash floods in the northeastern districts of Bangladesh. Various organisations and volunteers have come forward to help the flood victims.
The southern Caribbean prepares for a tropical storm
With predictions for an "above normal" 2022 transatlantic hurricane season, the latest weather system teetering of the brink of hurricane status is the one organising itself in the southern Caribbean.
Filming for the rights of the Papuan people and land
"I cried when I saw the nature around me being destroyed. I felt called to make films about the environment that motivated me to join the Papuan Voices film community."
Illegal timber trade persists in The Gambia's Upper River Region
A large number of trees were illicitly felled in Kundam, a village in Tumana District in the Upper River Region, by 'unknown culprits' allegedly working with forestry officials, who denied the claim.
Brazilian Indigenous group Univaja demands probe into murders of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira
Ten days after they went missing while working in the Javari Valley, a remote corner of the Amazon in Brazil, the Brazilian Federal Police confirmed the murders of the two men.
New national park in North Macedonia plagued by continued development projects
One year after officials announced they would establish a new national park in North Macedonia, the land is under siege as developers push to construct hydro plants in the park.
Pacific groups celebrate Ocean Week by opposing deep sea mining
Various Pacific groups celebrated Ocean Week and Ocean Day on June 8 by calling on officials to reject deep-sea mining (DSM) in the region.
The Sitakunda fire tragedy and the surge of humanitarian acts in Bangladesh
The recent deadly Sitakunda fire and explosion in Chittagong saw unprecedented casualties and damages and ordinary people came forward to help the victims of the tragedy.
World Oceans Day, in photos from Trinidad & Tobago
On World Oceans Day 2022, where the goal is revitalisation, these photos remind us of our seas' purpose and beauty, inspiring the collective action needed to successfully defend them.
Kenya's controversial Expressway speeds past budget while displacing thousands
In a city where walking is the default means of transport for many who cannot afford public transport, the majority of Kenyans can’t afford to use the new road.
Australia changes government as climate action takes centre stage
There may have been lots of swirling currents but the results of the federal election overwhelmingly showed that 2022 was, finally, the year of climate politics.
Solar technology is empowering people in rural India with clean affordable energy
This is the story of how a unique, affordable and low-maintenance clean energy solution is powering electricity-deprived homes across rural India.
A Jamaican school’s ‘Green Generation’ wants more action, less talk, to save the planet
When it comes to the climate crisis, students of a co-ed, independent high school in Kingston are acting locally and thinking globally.