Climate Week Roundtable & Panel Series hosted by AP & AP Fund for Journalism

Format: In-person and streamed 9:00-9:45am Panel 1: How we talk about climate change Climate change is arguably the world’s most important story, yet many readers and viewers tune out. They may see climate change as complicated, confusing or depressing. But that doesn’t mean they are not interested. How climate change is talked about, whether in news stories or in conversations with neighbors, can make a huge difference in getting people interested and even engaged in helping confront the problem. Some of the world’s best communicators on climate share their experiences. Panelists: Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown Anthony Leiserowitz, director of Yale Program on Climate Communications Eric Asche, CEO of Potential Energy Coalition Bernadette Woods Placky, executive director of Talking Climate Collaborative Peter Prengaman, global climate and environmental news director of The Associated Press (Moderator) 9:45-10:30am Q & A plus Networking Break 10:30-11:15 a.m. Panel 2: Iran war catalyzes green energy transition The war in Iran is catalyzing green energy transition in huge ways around the world. With the Strait of Hormuz, which transported about 20% of the world’s oil before the war, essentially clogged, many countries are looking for new sources of energy. That has included investments in solar, wind and reviving and expanding nuclear facilities. Together with the Ukraine war, these broader geopolitical changes are increasingly influencing energy transition discussions, likely a key topic at the upcoming COP31 in Turkey. See how AP is covering these rapid changes and whether these are short-term changes or potentially long-term shifts away from fossil fuels like oil and gas. Panelists: Anton Delgado, Bangkok-based green energy reporter Jennifer McDermott, Rhode Island-based green energy reporter Seth Borenstein, Washington-based climate science reporter Pia Sakar, deputy business editor for The Associated Press (Moderator) 11:15-12:00 pm Panel 3: People’s relationship to nature—local stories with universal themes Amid debates over how best to cut greenhouse gas emissions or whether subsidies should speed the adoption of green energy, the larger purpose—preserving nature—can get lost. Protecting nature is not only about survival for humans and other living things. Forests, rivers, lakes, oceans and mountains inspire wonder, help people clear their minds and connect them to the wider world. Because people experience nature locally, stories about the natural world, from restoration efforts to recreation, offer a unique opportunity to focus on specific communities while drawing out universal themes for readers everywhere. This panel will explore how AP covers a range of nature-focused stories, from the Colorado River to the Amazon rainforest. Panelists: Gabi Sa Pessoa, Brazil-based Amazon correspondent Brittany Peterson, Denver-based video journalist and water reporter Adithi Ramakrishnan, New York-based science and climate reporter Moira McDonald, environment program director at Walton Family Foundation Peter Prengaman, global climate and environmental news director of Associated Press (Moderator)