Second Nature: New digital series highlights Gen Z efforts to protect the environment
To protect a world they will inherit, young people are taking the fight against climate change into their own hands.
Second Nature is a new three-part digital series about how young people are working to protect the environment and combat climate change, produced for PBS News Student Reporting Labs’ climate reporting fellowship. Nine college student fellows from across the U.S. worked alongside the Student Reporting Labs team to produce solutions-oriented stories featuring young climate leaders in three communities: Los Angeles, CA; Wellfleet, MA; and Washington D.C. Episodes will be released October 7, 8, and 9.
WATCH THE THREE-PART SERIES HERE
This is the first time PBS News Student Reporting Labs has offered a fellowship for college students. “It was really inspiring and refreshing to work alongside college student reporters and highlight some of the ways young people are becoming environmental leaders,” said Student Reporting Labs Editorial Director Marie Cusick.
Find more on the stories and students involved below. The full stories are available to air, share and republish. Students involved may also be available for interviews or further collaboration. Contact Christine Zirneklis at czirneklis@newshour.org and Marie Cusick at mcusick@newshour.org if interested.
Working to bring Los Angeles’ Spanish-speaking community into climate conversations (releases October 7)
The University of Southern California’s Sustainability Sin Fronteras newsletter aims to inform LA’s Spanish-speaking community about the environment. The story features the work of USC student Mayte Abrica, who co-founded the newsletter, and Miguel Ordeñana, the Senior Manager of Community Science at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, who helps bring hands-on science and climate education to LA locals.
Student Producers: Jose Guzman-Wug, a student at the University of Southern California, Roury Fitzpatrick, a student at Cal State San Marcos, and Cole Monzon, a student at the University of Miami
Student Reporting Labs Producers: Becky Wandel, SRL Youth Media Producer, and Rawan Elbaba, SRL Digital Producer
The Howard University program that’s making carbon-consciousness chic (releases October 8)
Hailey Morris served as the president of HUWEA, a student association at Howard University that finds opportunities for Black students to promote sustainability and environmental justice. HUWEA’s sustainable fashion initiative encourages eco-friendly shopping practices via thrift store tours, flea markets, and farmers’ markets around Washington, DC.
Student Producers: Zion Williams, a student at Howard University, Kani’ya Davis, a student at North Carolina A&T State University, and Sarah “Paola” Magallanes, a student at the University of Georgia
Student Reporting Labs Producers: Justin Rhodes, SRL Youth Media Producer (Curriculum), and Wyatt Mayes, Youth Media Audio Producer
How a wildlife photographer uses his talent to advocate for an ecosystem (releases October 9)
Wildlife photographer and engineering student Soren Goldsmith designs and uses motion-activated camera traps to film the wildlife of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, and help people understand that saltwater marshes are worth protecting.
Student Producers: Joey Wu, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, Grace Go, a student at Cornell University, and Lizzie Stoner, a student at UNC Chapel Hill
Student Reporting Labs Producers: Becky Wandel, SRL Youth Media Producer, and Marie Cusick, SRL Editorial Director