The Science of Environmental Journalism
In these dire times of climate change and massive biodiversity loss, journalism becomes a powerful tool to communicate and impact human behaviour contributing towards unalterable changes to the environment.
By Yams Srikanth
| Posted on March 6, 2025
Scientists say we live in the Anthropocene, an epoch or time period defined by the unmistakable imprint of human beings on Earth’s ecosystems. In recorded history, past epochs were shaped by calamities like asteroids or volcanic eruptions but our time is shaped by the human fingerprint.
In this context, science-driven environmental journalism becomes vital. But how can journalists report on these invincible issues accurately, empathetically, and with a lasting impact? We speak with four Indian environmental journalists to understand how they incorporate science into environmental journalism.
Simrin Sirur, a journalist with Mongabay India, has been reporting on the science and politics of climate change for five years. Her work is grounded in science, drawing from environmental law and empirical data. Mongabay is known for its evidence-based, using published scientific literature for story ideas.
Uzmi Athar Interviewing alymphatic filariasis survivor in Bihar. The interviewee was shsaring how they are making endsmeet despite the stigma of the disease Image credits Uzmi Athar
When beginning a piece, Sirur roots herself in scientific research through three key sources. First, published literature for broad scientific understanding, current news for recent updates and lastly, direct conversation with researchers for a deep understanding.
“I do think a combination of the three is generally the approach I take.” Sirur notes. She makes sure to translate complex scientific data into accessible narratives for the public.
Nidhi Jamwal, an independent journalist with over 25 years of experience in climate, environment and rural issues, echoes this approach but also draws on her own life.
“A story is a story, you know? It shouldn’t be that science stories and environment stories are distinct and separate. Science should be a part of all stories,” Jamwal says, highlighting how science is interconnected with everyday life.
Both Jamwal and Sirur stress that even if a story draws heavily from statistics and scientific research, the writing should be clear and comprehensible to the general public.
Jamwal ensures this by writing a story that even her son, who is a class 10 student, can easily understand and relate to.
Science, Journalism and Policy
Anyone who reads about environmental policy and conservation in India can’t ignore the impact of Bahar Dutt’s work. Dutt holds a Master’s in Conservation Biology and has shifted the narrative of environmental journalism from individual species to the ecological systems they inhabit.
Her work spans broadcast journalism and written media. At present, she teaches communications at science-based storytelling at Shiv Nadar University and continues working as an independent journalist. Bahar Dutt’s journey in environmental journalism began with her Masters in Conservation Biology. She studied at the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent, Canterbury.
The course changed the way she looked at storytelling, but also her outlook on conservation issues in general. Rather than the current media focus on poaching, a single species, or “a tiger cub born at a zoo”, she looked more holistically at the habitats in which those species lived.
“Having a science-based degree helped me shift the narrative from individual animals to habitats and survival of the entire species,” Dutt states.
It also encouraged her to look at journalism as a bridge between conservation and policy. In many cases, Dutt’s coverage of the environmental impacts directly led to scrutiny and scientific questioning of proposed development projects. In Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, there was a proposal to construct an airstrip. The problem? It consumed much of the habitat of the vulnerable and rare Sarus crane. Examining the scientific reports published about the distribution of the Sarus crane informed Dutt about just how rare it is, and just how vital Etawah was for its persistence.
Her team also uncovered a systemic attempt by the Chief Minister’s political party to brush this aside, eventually leading to the development project being abandoned. Dutt has had similar successes in Meghalaya, Goa, and the Yamuna river bed. In each case, Dutt focused on which species were being affected, and how the ecosystem would change. Communicating the scientific reality and environmental impacts changed the situation. Nonetheless, we have a ways to go.
“I wish the field of academia would influence the media more,” Dutt says.
Bahar Dutt Holding an Indian Giant Soft Shell Turtle, A Story That Won the Kaavli Scince Journalism Award Image Credit Bahar Dutt
“It is of course the ultimate hope that a story influences policy. Almost everyone is doing something to try to make a positive change,” says Nidhi Jamwal. “At the same time, I have an issue with the idea of measuring impact. It can’t just be about the outcome. Sometimes, what motivates me is that there are simply voices which need to be recorded in history.”
Although journalism exists between science and policymakers, it’s vital that it also stands independently.
“It’s very important to maintain a distinction,” Sirur observed “Journalism is about informing the public, but it’s as much about holding power to account. I think science can support both those goals. Sometimes, unscientific policies come into the picture that are not evidence-based.”
Sirur cited the development project in Great Nicobar Island as an example, which will result in replanting trees lost on the tropical rainforest in the arid state of Haryana, thousands of kilometres away. She also talked about the changes to the Forest (Conservation) Act, which exempts certain development activities, like building roads, from obtaining clearance in the name of national security.
“Many conservationists and scientists have said these changes will dilute a law meant to conserve forests. But sometimes, such projects and changes are brought in without transparency,” Sirur said.
Nidhi Jamwal On Her Way to the Everest Base Campas Part of a Media Boot camp in Climate Change Image Credit Chencho Dema
Scientific institutions, the State and the media exist in a delicate balance of power.
“Journalism has an important role to play in revealing how decisions are made, which stakeholders are involved, and then using the scientific principles of evidence, transparency and rationality to tell a story, and question decision-making, if there is a reason to,” Sirur highlights.
The overreach of the State is certainly a concerning situation, with journalists being squeezed on both sides. As much as the role of environmental journalism is to highlight the science and evidence behind policy and projects, science is not exempt from abusing its power.
Journalists must stand independent and have support systems in place to enable this independence. Without this, we can never be certain who is influencing what is being said.
The Social Science of Environmental Journalism
With the context of policy, the State and power, it’s increasingly clear that the issues of the environment are influenced by the social systems around them.
Uzmi Athar of the Press Trust of India uses a comprehensible understanding of environmental justice by connecting it with scientific evidence. Her work emphasizes the human dimensions of environmental issues, utilizing science to highlight disparities in who is affected by environmental changes and who holds the power.
“Environmental journalism in India has gradually evolved to incorporate a more nuanced understanding of environmental justice. Earlier, the focus was primarily on the ecological aspect—conservation, wildlife, and pollution. However, over the past decade, there’s been a significant shift toward recognizing the intersection of the environment with issues of social justice, power, and identity.” states Uzmi Athar.
Her observation that environmental journalism has evolved from just ecological impact is vital. Understanding issues of power and justice also doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Decades of social science research have provided journalists like Athar with the language, frameworks and skills to recognise these intersections and highlight injustices in their work.
Science provides empirical data that highlights disparities in environmental impacts among different social, class and caste groups. For example, science often reveals how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities. It provides factual evidence that further strengthens narratives about environmental justice and the need for better policies.
By using science to highlight how environmental issues like climate change and mass biodiversity loss affect marginalized communities in India, Journalists can advocate for not only environmental conservation but the integrated social and economic rights of these communities as well. Science provides evidence rather than a rhetorical narrative to inform and influence public opinion about environmental conservation.
Further, the award-winning journalist focuses on the human dimensions of environmental issues. Environmental justice is a framework focusing on two key questions: who is most affected by a situation, and who has the power to influence it. If the answer to both those questions is not the same stakeholder, injustice pursues it.
“My approach involves digging deep into the social context—understanding who is affected, how they are affected, and why their stories matter. This method not only helps in crafting compelling narratives but also in keeping intersectional values at the forefront of my reporting.” Athar notes. Keeping human identities and stories central to environmental reporting is vital.
Environmental journalism needs to centre science, but also question it. It needs to build bridges between scientific research and public opinion. Simultaneously, environmental journalism needs to temper science with the human dimensions, with a focus on identity and power. This fine balance takes true skill indeed. Environmental journalists play a challenging role, but a vital one. Their science-driven storytelling holds the power to impact the effects of the Anthropocene.
About the author
Yams Srikanth is an ecologist whose other interests include science communication, writing and trying to build a better world. When not languishing in front of their laptop, they can be found outside poking at any insect, bird or plant. Their undergraduate degree in Biology and Education, along with a Master’s in Wildlife Biology has given them skills and perspective to help readers appreciate and handle the environmental issues of the Anthropocene. They also write about queer and trans rights and their intersections with STEM and education.
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