Cardiff University students part of BBC reporting team for COP26
15 November 2021
Two students from Cardiff University have produced original stories on climate change and sustainability as part of the BBC’s COP26 coverage.
Nel Richards and Chloe Blissett, both based at the University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture, were selected from more than 500 applicants to be part of the team working to cover the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties.
The competition asked 18-24-year-olds to submit two-minute videos or 500 words outlining a story idea. Of these, 22 entrants were selected to join the broadcaster as young climate reporters.
Chloe, a 23-year-old student from Reading, completing an MA in news journalism, submitted an idea for a piece centred around the correlation between climate change and coal-tip landslides in Wales. As well as an online piece, the story has also appeared on TV and radio.
Chloe said: “I was keen to draw people’s attention to a topic that has previously attracted very little discussion. I wanted to include the voices of people who live near these coal tips and explore the reason behind the increased risk of there being landslides.”
“To get the opportunity to report on an important issue linked to climate change, during COP26, has been a huge privilege. It’s crucial that journalism informs and promotes discussion among people of all ages. It’s vital young people are represented on these issues, so that real and positive changes can happen.”
Nel Richards, 20, originally from Swansea, is a Welsh and Journalism undergraduate. Nel’s successful story highlights the issue of location when it comes to building a green energy infrastructure, and focuses on her local area of Craig Cefn Parc. As well as featuring on BBC Cymru Fyw, she was also given the opportunity to do live updating on the BBC website’s newsfeeds.
Following the experience, Nel said: "I've been fortunate enough to be able to work with the BBC to create climate change stories, and to talk to different people about how climate change has affected their lives."
"It has been a privilege to be able to work with activists at COP26 and, of course, with well-respected journalists, who do the important job of providing the stories we read and watch on a daily basis."
To find out more, go to @iamcardiffuni twitter account
