Illustration by Eejoon Choi

University of Southern California | March 2022

About this project:

We are finding, coaching and training public media’s next generation. This #nprnextgenradio project is created in partnership  with University of Southern California, with five talented reporters and a visual journalist participating in a week-long state-of-the-art training program.

In this project we are highlighting the experiences of people whose lives are being affected by climate change.

Photo credit: Romain Guy via Flickr

illustration of boy looking down from the sky and holding what appears to be a boat filled with miniature people.

Indigenous biologist passes on cultural heritage to address climate change

Indigenous biologist passes on cultural heritage to address climate change

Andrew Mendez

by CHELSEA HEALY

Matthew Teutimez is drawing on ancestral knowledge to help restore vital ecosystems and help pass down traditional knowledge to future generations.

Rows of illustrated bees flapping their wings.

For the love of bees: A changing climate’s effect on nature’s pollinators

For the love of bees: A changing climate’s effect on nature’s pollinators

Andrew Mendez

 by RYANNE MENA

Bees may be small, but they make a big impact on the world around them. They provide us with flowers, fruit, honey, and more — but a changing climate is beginning to take a toll on hives.

illustration of boy looking down from the sky and holding what appears to be a boat filled with miniature people.

Floral farmers combat a wasteful industry with local solutions

Floral farmers combat a wasteful industry with local solutions

Andrew Mendez

by LUCIA RUAN

Before the sun lights up in Los Angeles, Amanda Galvez puts on her iconic straw hat and gets to work.

“Roses in general are very hungry and very thirsty,” Galvez said. “When it’s a really, really hot day, we’re out there watering as much as we can to flood the field.”

illustration of boy looking down from the sky and holding what appears to be a boat filled with miniature people.

Dying kelp leaves sea urchin diver Jeff Maassen uncertain about his trade

Dying kelp leaves sea urchin diver Jeff Maassen uncertain about his trade

Andrew Mendez

by AAROHI SHETH

The ocean has been a haven for sea urchin diver Jeff Maassen for more than four decades, a place where the Santa Barbara resident fishes, surfs, dives and makes his livelihood. 

 

illustration of boy looking down from the sky and holding what appears to be a boat filled with miniature people.

It is time to address aviation and climate change

It is time to address aviation and climate change

Mitzi Vazquez

by MITZI VAZQUEZ

Every time Omar Abdelkarim cruises through the clouds from city to city, he’s reminded of his favorite part of flying, freedom. He loves being able to shut off the rest of the world and focus on one task — safely getting from point A to B. That is becoming more challenging with changes in the sky.