Environment and Climate Reporter

The Buffalo News, an award-winning news organization in New York’s second-largest city, is seeking an enterprising reporter to cover Buffalo’s environment and changing climate and the challenges and opportunities both present to the region.

Environmental issues have been of paramount importance in the Buffalo Niagara region for decades. Love Canal, perhaps the worst environmental disaster in the nation’s history, remains a stark example of how the region’s natural resources and its reliance on major industry collided and continue to create tension between economic and ecological interests.

Weather is also a big deal. In the past year, two blizzards crippled parts of the region – the first pounding the snow belt with 7 feet of snow, and the second shutting down the region for days and claiming the lives of almost 50 people. Our temperate summers soften the blow of lake-effect storms, but smoke from Canadian wildfires has led to hazy skies and poor air quality. As much of the world struggles with how to adapt to climate changes, Buffalo finds itself being seen as a climate oasis, thanks to access to fresh water, distance from coastlines and other factors.

The environment and climate reporter will provide practical coverage about the environment, helping readers who are concerned about health, quality of life and the community. This reporter will stay on top of the ecological state of our two Great Lakes and explain why their health matters to our future. This reporter must also consider racial equity as it relates to weather and environmental issues, such as tree coverage in low-income neighborhoods and quality of life and health implications for residents. This reporter should be comfortable using data and developing investigative coverage that uncovers and explains health disparities in communities of color.

A mix of breaking news, quick-turn and longer-range enterprise stories will be expected. This beat is centered on people, and this reporter will connect the dots on complex environmental and climate issues. Storytelling on this beat may be in narrative, video and audio form.

Requirements

•At least three years of reporting experience

•Background in environmental science or meteorology a plus

•Experience in digital storytelling

•Proficiency in mining data and public records

•Video experience

•Social media skills