An Interview with Alan Rusbridger: Keep it in the Ground

Abstract

Central to the problem of climate activism is the inherent difficulty of effectively communicating its gravity and complexity in a manner which spurs action rather than apathy. Alan Rusbridger, former editor of Guardian UK, discusses the inception of his institution’s ground-breaking ‘Keep it in the Ground’ campaign, born from a desire to take action commensurate with the problem of climate change. The campaign resulted in complex public debates and several companies, including the Gates Foundation, divesting from the biggest carbon polluters. Rusbridger discusses how the impact of increasingly commercial news media on climate reporting remains one of the biggest hurdles for activists and reformers. In this new media environment, as platforms like Facebook and Google take up the role of news outlets, it is imperative they also shoulder the corresponding responsibilities of accuracy and transparency as part of a global media reform.