What is The 89 Percent Project?
The 89 Percent Project is a year-long global media collaboration aimed at highlighting the fact that the vast majority of people in the world care about climate change and want their governments to do something about it.
When did it start?
The first phase of the project kicked off in April during Earth Week, when newsrooms from more than 20 countries reported on the fact that an overwhelming majority of people in the world care about the climate crisis and want more to be done.
What’s happening now?
We are now in the next phase of the project, which seeks to move beyond reporting the numbers. Newsrooms are beginning to focus on the people behind the data, putting a face to the silent global majority. They’re doing this through profiles, person on the street interviews, and short video interviews.
What’s an example?
The Guardian, Covering Climate Now’s lead partner on the project, has published a call-out on all of its global editions, asking readers to share their 89 Percent stories. Newsrooms are encouraged to be inspired by the call-out, and the questionnaire that it leads to, for similar projects of their own.
How do I take part?
Any newsroom or journalist can get involved, simply by publishing stories on the theme of the 89%. You’ll be joined by hundreds of other journalists around the world doing the same thing. The hope is that a groundswell of coverage will direct the world’s attention on climate change’s silent majority.
How much does it cost?
Nothing.
What’s the timeline?
Some newsrooms already have begun work on their 89 Percent stories, but it’s not too late to get started. We’re targeting the week of October 26 to November 1 for a combined push in coverage. We’ll then continue the conversation into the COP climate summit in Brazil in November. The project continues through next spring.
Are there any obligations as part of my participation?
Not really. We want as many newsrooms as possible to take part. We’ve designed a logo that we’ll ask you to use as part of your coverage, so the impact of the collaboration will be felt around the world. It would be great if you’d also make noise about it on social media with the hashtag #the89percent.
What kinds of stories are required?
There are no requirements. You know what and how many stories are best for your audience. We’ve summarized the science to get you inspired, and we’ll be holding additional webinars so you can hear how your colleagues around the world are approaching the project.
What tagline should we use on 89 Percent stories?
This story is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now.
Can we share our stories or republish other outlets’ work?
You can. If you’re already a partner of CCNow, you have access to our Sharing Library, which you can use to offer up or use pieces from other partners. It’s not too late to join as a partner of CCNow to take part. If you don’t want to be a formal partner, that’s fine. Drop us a line when you publish a piece as part of the 89 Percent effort and we’ll spread the word.
How will the impact of this project be measured?
We’ll keep track of who is doing what, but we’ll need your help. Let us know at editors@coveringclimatenow.org what you’re working on, and send us a link when it’s published. We’ll combine that with what we hear from everybody else on a site devoted to the project.
What if I’m not a journalist or newsroom?
We still welcome you to amplify and support the 89 Percent effort. Post about it on social media with the #the89percent hashtag. Share your own “I am the 89%” story in a reel or TikTok. Talk it up to friends and colleagues.
Anything else?
You tell us. Reach out with questions or any other way we can help. Email at editors@coveringclimatenow.org.