By Olivia Saunders
As a future environmental journalist, ocean conservation is Kayla Curtis-Evans’s top priority. Her love for marine life and the UC Santa Barbara beach lifestyle has fueled her passion for protecting the seas.
With hard evidence from NASA showing increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and ocean warming, it’s no secret that the earth’s climate is changing. And with these changes comes the need for environmental journalism.
Aspiring environmental journalists such as UC Santa Barbara’s Kayla Curtis-Evans plan to translate the science jargon found in research studies and report the hard facts in a way that everyone can understand. It is their job to inform the public on the current state of the environment.
Curtis-Evans is a second-year English and environmental studies major at UCSB who is eager to combine her knowledge on the environment with her writing craft to spread awareness about pressing environmental challenges that could have life-altering effects on our planet. She plans to enroll in journalism courses in UCSB’s Writing Program—one student among a growing number who are complementing their majors in a particular discipline with training in journalism and media writing.
In a recent interview, Curtis-Evans shared why she wants to enter this field and what she plans to achieve in the future.
Q. At what point in your life did you decide that you wanted to become an environmental journalist?
A. I always knew I wanted to write, but it wasn’t until I came to UCSB that I decided I wanted to be an environmental journalist. I’m from Philadelphia and on the east coast there’s not as much environmental consciousness. But after coming to UCSB I learned how important it is to be aware of our impact on the earth.
Q. A 2018 opinion article in the Frontiers in Communication journal stated that “many science journalists are drawn to the field by their own passion for science.” How has your passion for the environment led you to this beat within journalism?
A. I volunteer for Sprout Up. It’s a program where we go to local elementary schools and teach kids environmental science. Elementary school is a really good time to teach kids the importance of the environment. They are still impressionable and if we start teaching them sustainable and eco-friendly habits now, hopefully they will continue them as adults. Teaching these kids made me realize how much I love educating others on something I care about.
Q. The environmental beat encompasses so many topics, from climate change to deforestation, to water rights. Which topics do you want to cover and why?
A. The biggest environmental issue that concerns me is our oceans. I want to report on marine biology conservation. Two years ago, I went snorkeling in Hawaii. It was the first time I saw marine animals up close. It made me realize how much is at stake if we don’t take care of our planet. Conserving the oceans is my top priority.
The dangers associated with environmental journalism do not scare Kayla Curtis-Evans, since the possibility of her work increasing environmental consciousness are worth the risks to her.
Q. Eric Freedman, chair of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, describes the environment as a hazardous beat and says environmental journalists “are at heightened risk of murder, arrest, assault, threats, self-exile, lawsuits and harassment.” How do you plan on preparing yourself to face these possible dangers?
A. Journalists uncover the truth, so there is always risk. But the truth needs to be talked about. I want to use my writing to send a message to people in all places, making others more aware of the conditions of our planet. Knowing that my writing could have widespread impact makes me unafraid of the possible risks. The rewards of possibly increasing environmental consciousness outweigh the costs, and I am willing to take the risk.
Q. As someone who is passionate about saving the environment, do you think staying objective in your reporting will be an obstacle for you? What steps will you take to maintain journalistic integrity and remain objective?
A. I don’t think staying objective is going to be hard because I don’t think I need to convince people to take measures. Once I tell people the facts, hopefully it will be obvious what they need to do. The facts are scary enough that they should be compelling and influence people to take action.
Olivia Saunders is a second-year UC Santa Barbara student, majoring in Communication. She wrote this piece in her Writing Program course Journalism for Web and Social Media.