Dear SEJ members,
Since joining the SEJ Board this summer, I’ve been deeply impressed by both the amount of work that goes into keeping the organization thriving and the people doing that work. It’s also clear that SEJ is at a critical junction on multiple fronts —from staffing and financing to DEIJ+ initiatives — and I would love to continue helping the board turn those challenges into opportunities.
Longer-term, I want to focus on what has always drawn me to SEJ: its close-knit community, where like-minded professional colleagues are also friends and allies. The support and mentorship that SEJ provides to its members is what makes the organization so valuable (and has undoubtedly helped us all at some point). Bolstering those avenues for connection is what excites me most about the SEJ board.
Providing members with the resources to innovate is critical at a time when climate coverage is growing, evolving and demanding more of reporters than it arguably ever has before.
I am currently a staff writer at Grist, and have been covering the climate in some fashion for most of my career, including at The Washington Post. I’ve also reported across a range of mediums (print, video, radio, etc.) and formats (breaking news to features and investigations). I’ve also served on other advisory groups, managed budgets and mentored colleagues.
I hope to bring this breadth of experience to the SEJ board in ways that allow me to advocate for members of all backgrounds, whether it be traditional media, emerging media or otherwise.
Relatedly: promoting diversity at SEJ, and in the climate journalism profession more broadly, would be another priority of mine. The organization has a key role to play in helping fill the undeniable need for more environmental journalists of color, as well as encouraging inclusive coverage.
I am also an ardent supporter of partnerships, and have frequently worked on projects that span outlets and organizations. I would like to bring this mentality to SEJ, where collaboration with other entities in this space could be a force-multiplier.
Ultimately, I want to ensure that SEJ is positioned to best support, champion and amplify the exemplary work of its members. If elected I would actively solicit your thoughts on how best to achieve that goal, as well as maintain an open door.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate with any questions and I appreciate your consideration.
With gratitude,
Tik
About Me:
Tik Root is a senior staff writer at Grist. He began his career in Yemen, and has since reported from nearly a dozen countries. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Harper’s and the BBC, among other outlets. His work has led to change and won awards, including the Society of Environmental Journalists award for outstanding explanatory reporting. Root holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and a M.A. in Science, Health and Environment journalism from Columbia University. He is on the advisory council of Planet Forward and is based in Vermont.
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