Knight Center’s Bruno Takahashi involved with report on health and climate change in South America: “Now that we know, we must act”

By Finn Hopkins

Dr. Bruno Takahashi, research director at the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism has been involved in the production and publication of a 2022 report that explores the intersection of climate change and public health in South America.

The 2022 South America report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change was published on March 28^th, 2023. The Lancet Countdown South America (LCSA) investigates links between public health and climate change in 12 countries in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Suriname.

The LCSA is the product of 21 academic institutions and UN agencies with 28 researchers from various disciplines. The 2022 report seeks to provide evidence and support to decision makers to combat the climate challenges facing South America.

Continue reading →

Eric Freedman lecture to students at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University: six challenges faced by environmental journalists today

Leave a reply

Knight Center director Eric Freedman recently guest lectured to students at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Eric Freedman pictured with students at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

In his lecture, Freedman discussed the important role of environmental journalism in public life. He discussed how the stories environmental journalists produce often have a direct influence on government policy and public health. Environmental journalists are often required to communicate complex topics in a way that is easy to understand for general audiences, making them essential for the public’s understanding of environmental issues.

Despite its critical importance, environmental journalism faces many challenges. Speaking with students at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University via Zoom, Freedman outlined six major challenges faced by those working in field.

Continue reading →

Knight Center research director Bruno Takahashi discusses his recent visit to Singapore, highlights importance of collaboration

Leave a reply

Dr. Takahashi (left) and Dr. Edson Tandoc Jr. (right) are pictured. The two have collaborated on research projects for over ten years.

Dr. Bruno Takahashi recently returned from Singapore following a visit to Nanyang Technological University at the invitation of his colleague Dr. Edson Tandoc Jr., an associate professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at NTU.

Continue reading →

Knight Center collaboration with University of Rhode Island seeks to bring more diverse voices to science communication

Leave a reply

Dr. Bruno Takahashi, research lead for the SciComm Identities Project. Photo by Phoebe Neel

A recent partnership between Michigan State’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, the University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, and URI’s Science and Story Lab aims to expand diversity and create more inclusive spaces for the next generation of science communicators.

The SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) is a five-year project backed by $2.8 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to promote racial and ethnic diversity within the field by developing science communication training that is centered on the identities, motivations, and experiences of racial and ethnic minority scientists.

While progress has been made to bring more voices into the field, historically marginalized scientists still face obstacles throughout their careers.

Continue reading →