Hello Uproot Family,

Zaria, Managing Editor of Currently here :)

It’s been a long summer and an even longer year in the world of climate activism.

The heat that filled the air of my city of Los Angeles was some of the hottest on record, reminding us all of the rapid speed at which our beloved environment is changing. Still, we saw many communities, primarily the most marginalized, attempt to navigate the brunt of these atmospheric changes alone.

Despite the fatigue that many are facing — either as an active participant in the movement, or victim of the crisis — one thing is clear: we are strong.

Somehow, despite all of this, communities appear to be more resilient than ever. 

Most recently, Hurricane Ian swept through Florida and much of the south, leaving devastation in its wake. For a case study on the potential future of climate solutions following these sorts of disasters, we can look at what everyday community members have been doing in its aftermath.

Crowdsource Rescue, a non-profit rescue network, created a map for first responders showing where vulnerable coastal communities lie in the event of extreme weather.

Social media has created pockets of support by region – some using platforms like Twitter to successfully find missing family members following climate disaster.

Local organizations like Imagine Water Works (IWW) out of New Orleans, and Cooperation Jackson out of Jackson, Mississippi, highlight the potential of community-owned cooperatives and water management as climate solutions.

All of these examples underscore the obvious truth that the people and communities are leading the movement at mitigating the impacts of climate change. 

And while using their own tools and methods, rather than those of our alleged leaders, who continue to prioritize profit, fossil fuels and temporary progress, over long-term structural reform in favor of a healthy environment and collective future.

So, there is hope. These tales of community support paint a vivid path towards a more sustainable future that we can all optimistically rally behind.

Warmly (literally),

Zaria

@earthtozaria / Earth Mama Wellness / Currently

Nina Ignaczak
In addition to being an Uproot member, Nina was featured as a "Fixer" on the 2022 Grist 50 list

How long have you been a journalist? 10 years

How did you become an Uproot member?  I signed up as an ally.

What is your job title?  Founder & Executive Editor, Planet Detroit

What is your beat/focus? Local environmental and public health news & information

How did you get started in journalism?  I switched careers from urban planning into journalism a decade ago after realizing that I'd always wanted to be a journalist.

Where have you been published?  Planet Detroit, Huffington Post, Detroit Free Press, Crains Detroit Business, Business Insider, Belt Magazine

What is your favorite piece you've written and why?  Climate Resilience on Detroit's East Side (Belt Magazine) This was the kind of journalism I based my startup on -- telling the stories of resilience within Detroit's Black and brown communities.

What's a piece of advice you would give your younger self?  It sounds cliche but follow your passion. Don't do what you think other people want you to do or do anything solely for status or money. Focus on what you care about.

What does it mean to you to be a 'Fixer'? Being a 'Fixer' means being part of a community of people who are innovating in some way to help advance climate justice.

What's something you've learned or gained from being part of networks like the Grist 50 Fixers, and Uproot? I've learned that there are people out there who share my values and vision, and there is so much to learn and be inspired by.

What is your ethos to journalism? / What's our manifesto? We believe the environment is the most important issue of our time, and threats to it, particularly global warming and the climate chaos it is creating, are real.

We believe that independent journalism is the most critical component of our democracy and that it is only through seeking and exposing the truth that we can overcome the environmental challenges facing us.

To us, independence means we cover issues without bias, with close emphasis on facts, and without a predetermined agenda.

However, this does not mean we don’t think the threats to our environment are real, or that global warming is not happening, or that humans should not address environmental problems.

What it does mean is that we remain agnostic about the solutions we cover. We evaluate them without bias.

Because the environmental issues we face can seem overwhelming and confusing, we are focused on providing background, context and covering solutions (but not advocating for them).

Because environmental issues often disproportionately impact low-income people and communities of color, we focus on making sure their stories are told.

Also, the environment is beautiful and amazing. We’ll try to take some space to appreciate that.

Who is your inspiration? Sarah Alvarez, Outlier Media, who is a visionary thinker and innovator in local media.