This episode was recorded on November 18, 2024.
Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host Karan Takhar sits down for a chat with Founding Executive Editor of Cipher, Amy Harder. Cipher is supported by Breakthrough Energy as an education initiative focusing on reporting on climate solutions across the climate and energy fields. As Executive Editor, Amy shares what drew her to reporting on energy and climate, what her journalism process looks like, and ultimately, what her vision is for Cipher. Karan and Amy discuss how Cipher decides which topics to cover, how they are able to focus on being objective while still bringing awareness to the climate problem, and how they make difficult technical topics digestible to a more general audience. Amy gives her perspective on how President Trump’s second presidency might impact the climate field. And, finally, she shares advice for those hoping to become journalists in the climate and energy sector.
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Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421
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X (Twitter): @TakharK2
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Instagram: @zen_rgy
LinkedIn: ZNRG
YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast
Connect with Amy:
https://www.ciphernews.com/topics/cleantech-tracker
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Welcome
1:50 - How outdoor hobbies impact Amy’s passion for climate
4:10 - Cross-country skiing
5:35 - What initially drew Amy to climate journalism
8:25 - Amy’s journalism process
10:30 - The importance of building trust
12:15 - Amy’s role as Executive Editor
13:30 - The process of deciding which stories are covered
16:30 - How the new administration will impact the climate field
18:50 - How will the Inflation Reduction Act be impacted
21:15 - Amy’s vision for Cipher
23:25 - How Amy keeps track of climate developments on a global level
27:00 - Kaiser Health News
28:40 - How Cipher can be objective and bring awareness to the climate problem
31:40 - How Cipher makes complex topics relatable to a wide audience
35:55 - Shifts in the audience’s priorities over time
37:50 - Advice and insights
41:20 - How Amy’s career was shaped
Credits:
Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios
