SEJ Webinar: The Heat Is Killing Us – Data for Journalists Covering Climate Change and Gun Violence

The Heat Is Killing Us: Data for Journalists Covering Climate Change and Gun Violence

Tuesday, July 30, 2024   |   12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET

All journalists welcome!

Here are 5 next steps and resources for you:

1. Watch the Zoom recording. Helina Selemon and Aaron Glantz walk through the data step-by-step and discuss how to search and sort the data for your region.
   • Watch at: bit.ly/training-zoom-recording-heat-guns
   • Passcode: 3K+h#qmL
2. Review the slide deck and Q&A doc. Download your PDF copy of the slides that contain the mandatory citation for the data as well as additional links to office hours, interviewees and more at: bit.ly/training-slides-links
   • For your reference, we also compiled the training's Q&A in a separate PDF here: bit.ly/training-FAQs
3. Dive into the data set. Make a copy of the Google spreadsheet here: bit.ly/data-heat-guns
4. Share your story. Complete this google form and we will help promote your story on our social media channels: bit.ly/mije-sej-stories
5. Subscribe and join to stay informed. Don’t miss out on future trainings and tool kits.
   • Subscribe to the Maynard Institute's bi-monthly newsletter
   • Become a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists

Coverage resulting from this training

• "Research Confirms What Authorities Have Known — More Get Shot When It's Hot," The Buffalo News, September 2, 2024, by Justin Sondel.
• Training Recap & Resources, Maynard Institute, August 13, 2024.
• "Summer Heat Worsens Gun Violence, Study Finds," New Jersey Monitor, August 5, 2024, by Dana Difilippo.
• "Rochester, NY: Gun Violence and Summer Heat," Democrat & Chronicle, August 2, 2024.

Event description

The Society of Environmental Journalists and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education invite you to join Helina Selemon, Maynard 200 alum, SEJ member and science reporter in the New York Amsterdam News’ Blacklight investigative unit, for a special training on the shocking links between climate change and gun violence.

The training will provide reporters across the country with access to exclusive local data on the amount of gun violence linked to extreme heat in each of the United States’ 100 largest cities — from Akron, Ohio to Winston-Salem, North Carolina — as well as the percentage of shootings where elevated heat is a factor and the most dangerous day for gun violence linked to climate change for each US city.

In 2020, for example, they found climate change contributed to 370 additional shootings in Chicago, 285 extra shootings in New York, 146 in Detroit, 89 in Milwaukee, 83 in Minneapolis and 64 in Philadelphia.

Nationally, the researchers estimate nearly 7% of gun violence incidents could be directly attributed to above-average seasonal temperatures. The training will explore potential reasons for the relationship between extreme heat and gun violence — from flaring tempers to increased time outdoors as temperatures rise — as well as links to experts able to speak with authority on the topic. 

Selemon will be joined by veteran investigative editor Aaron Glantz, the Maynard Institute’s executive-in-residence for investigative storytelling, who will be available to coach local and national reporters on how to best use the data for their own investigations. 

Speakers:

• Helina Selemon, science reporter, The Blacklight investigative unit, New York Amsterdam News 
• Aaron Glantz, Maynard 200 faculty, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

Join this online training and learn how to:

• Report on climate change and gun violence
• Analyze local data on a national/global issue
• Craft solutions-oriented coverage of climate change

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