Everyone on the planet is affected by climate change in some way. Now, a student duo will set out across Texas to tell their stories.
University of Texas at Austin journalism students Aurora Berry and Will Brooks are working on a new podcast that will explore topics related to climate change through stand-alone episodes that examine different facets of the global problem. The series will feature expertise and interviews with Planet Texas 2050 researchers, including architects, computer scientists, geologists and humanities scholars, who will act as advisers on the science behind climate change to ensure accuracy in the reporting.
So far, the student duo has come up with ideas for six episodes. One looks at ongoing recovery efforts after the 2011 Bastrop County Complex Fire — the most destructive in the state’s history — and another visits some unlikely renewable energy supporters across Texas who have decided to make the switch.
The podcast is the latest for The Drag, an award-winning, student-run production house at UT Austin. It is funded in part by the Planet Texas 2050 Artist in Residence program.
“Our hope is this collaboration will help diverse audiences engage more deeply on the subject beyond just thinking of it as a dire weather report,” says Jennifer Nelson Gray, a grand challenge research development officer and Planet Texas 2050’s former program director. “The Drag is incredibly successful, and millions of people around the world have heard their podcasts, so they have a built-in audience that our work could benefit from.”