Climate Solutions Journalism

As a student newspaper leader, you’re facing tough choices. Print advertising revenue continues to decline. Many papers have cut back on coverage or staff. Meanwhile, you’re working to keep your publication relevant to today’s students and prove your value to the campus community.

We’ve discovered a model that addresses these challenges while expanding into one of journalism’s fastest-growing beats. Through our work with the Purdue Exponent, we’ve found that dedicated climate solutions coverage not only helps fund your paper but also:

Attracts new readers who care about sustainability and innovation
Creates compelling content that showcases your institution’s impact
Gives your reporters professional experience in a growing field
Builds your paper’s reputation for serious journalism

After a successful three-year pilot that produced over 15 high-impact stories at Purdue, Carbon Neutral Indiana, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is expanding this program across Indiana’s college newspapers in 2025.

What We Provide

Funding: $2,000 – $5,000 per semester based on published articles
Editorial Freedom: Full independence in story selection and coverage
Amplification: Your stories reach our 7,000+ person email list
Support (Optional):
- One-on-one mentorship
- Group calls with other climate solutions reporters across Indiana
- Introductions to sources statewide
- Access to our AI-assisted research tools and searchable databases
- Training materials for science communication

What Your Paper Provides

Solution-focused climate articles per semester covering areas like:
- Scientific Breakthroughs: From novel carbon capture technologies in your chemistry labs to breakthrough battery research in materials science, your reporters will make complex research accessible and showcase how your institution is advancing climate solutions.
- Engineering Innovations: Engineers take scientific research and implement it into tangible solutions. Maybe they are more efficient solar panel designs, smart building systems that slash energy use, or new approaches to sustainable transportation, your reporters will highlight how engineers at your institution are turning ideas into real-world solutions.
- Entrepreneurial Impact: Once research is turned into tangible solutions, they need to scale globally. Your reporters will track how campus startups, technology transfer offices, and business students are bringing climate solutions to market – from initial prototypes to successful companies.
Brief attribution on articles noting CNI support like: “This reporting is supported by Carbon Neutral Indiana, a nonprofit promoting fun and effective climate solutions.”

Our pilot with the Purdue Exponent has already produced over 15 high-impact stories, from investigations of campus emissions to profiles of breakthrough research. This coverage has increased reader engagement while giving student journalists experience in one of journalism’s fastest-growing beats.

Ready to strengthen your paper while advancing crucial climate coverage? Let’s talk about bringing climate solutions journalism to your campus.