Join us in celebrating our fantastic COP28 reporting team from across the Global South! Tune in for their insightful climate stories.
We are thrilled to announce the outstanding winners of Climate Tracker’s COP28 Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship!
In the “era of global boiling,” sharing the stories of the climate crisis is of paramount importance because it serves as a crucial bridge between scientific findings, policy decisions, and public awareness. These exceptional young climate journalists have emerged with stories to tell and are ready to cover COP28 in Dubai from 30th November – 12th December 2023.
Meet our amazing cohort of champions.
Amidst fierce competition, they stood out for their passion, dedication, and innovative storytelling.
IN-PERSON FELLOWS
🤓 Abdulkareem Mojeed, Nigeria 🇳🇬
Abdulkareem Mojeed is a journalist with one of Nigeria’s foremost investigative newspapers, Premium Times. He is a graduate of Botany and Ecological Studies from the University of Uyo and focuses his storytelling on development; agriculture, food security, climate change, the environment, and the local currency market. From these beats, he has accomplished excellence in producing high-impact and thoroughly reported reports.
Read Abdulkareem’s work: How Nigeria’s N400 million green bond-financed afforestation projects failed
📝 Alaa Emara, Egypt 🇪🇬
Alaa Emara is an Egyptian Science & Environmental Journalist, Microbiologist, and Researcher. With an extensive portfolio including contributions to prestigious Arabic platforms like Popular Science Arabia and Al-Ain News, Alaa’s passion lies in communicating complex issues related to science and the environment. When not immersed in the world of journalism, Alaa finds solace in painting, reading, and actively tracking climate change, so she is here with us in Climate Tracker, tracking climate with us!
Read Alaa’s work: SOS from Pakistan because of climate change
🌿 Amanda Magnani, Brasil 🇧🇷
Amanda is a freelance journalist and photographer, and Climate Editor at OptOut. She is passionate about climate justice and migration, and always tries to look for the solution side of stories. After living three years abroad, she moved back to Brasil to be closer to the stories that matter the most to her.
Earlier this year, Amanda spent two months among Indigenous communities in the Amazon, and that time made one thing very clear to her: “I am a horrible — I mean HORRIBLE — dancer, but hey! Turns out having two left feet makes me a more relatable journalist, so no complaints here.”
Read Amanda’s work: In Roraima, Indigenous communities forge sustainable solutions amid threats
🌱 Belén López Mensaque, Argentina 🇦🇷
Belén is a multimedia journalist specialising in climate change. She works as a television producer, writer and content creator for social networks at El Doce, in Córdoba, Argentina. Her first and true love of journalism is writing, although she likes to keep learning about new ways of communicating.
Read Belén’s work: Vaca Muerta: challenges and contradictions of the use of gas for the transition in Argentina
🪻 Blaise Eyong, Cameroon 🇨🇲
Blaise Eyong is an award-winning Cameroonian multimedia journalist. His work has been broadcast on several international news networks, including CNN, BBC, DW and Reuters news agency. He is currently producing his first feature documentary film
View Blaise’s work: Producing biochar and organic fertilizer in Cameroon
🙌🏼 Chermaine Lee, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Chermaine is a Hong Kong-bred freelance multimedia journalist based in Berlin, who covers climate, human rights and social issues in Asia and beyond. When she’s not working, you’d find her hiking, climbing on walls, reading, savouring culinary delights, or harassing cats.
Read Chermaine’s work: Hong Kong’s ‘Shoebox’ Residents Struggle Amid Sweltering Heat, Cramped Living Conditions
🌻Kalain Hosein, Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
Kalain is an award-winning multimedia journalist based in Trinidad and Tobago. Since 2014, he has reported on weather, climate, and the environment for his online media company, Trinidad and Tobago Weather Center.
In 2019, Kalain joined Guardian Media Limited in Trinidad and Tobago as their Weather Anchor, producing compelling weather, climate, and environment coverage across television, print, digital, and radio. He has led Guardian Media’s coverage through inclement weather events like tropical cyclones and floods, as well as international climate conferences such as the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27.
Read Kalain’s work: Port-of-Spain – A City Underwater
🎧Kelesha Williams, Jamaica 🇯🇲
Kelesha is a multi-award-winning journalist from Jamaica, with over six years of experience. She is currently a news reporter/producer/anchor at Television Jamaica- Jamaica’s leading broadcast network. Over the years, Kelesha has developed a passion for telling stories on the environment, especially climate change and biodiversity.
Her interests in the environment have afforded her the opportunity to report on international conferences in New York and Canada. When she is not working as a journalist, Kelesha can be seen on the dance floor doing the latest Jamaican moves!
View Kelesha’s work: Jamaicans to Brace for Extreme Heat!
🌊 María Mónica Monsalve S, Colombia 🇨🇴
Maria has been an environmental and science journalist since she started writing in the media and a dancer since she was a child. Currently, she is a journalist for America Futura, a project of El País America. Also, Maria has a Master’s degree in Climate Change, Development and Policy from the University of Sussex, UK.
Read Maria’s work: The neighbourhood in Medellín that builds its own action plan against climate change
✨ Stefanie Shibikie Lauchman, Suriname 🇸🇷
Stefanie Lauchman is a passionate journalist from Suriname. She is a women’s rights activist and also works as the communications manager for the Mulokot Foundation which focuses on ensuring the rights of the Wayana Indigenous People.
As a journalist, she specialises in climate matters, Indigenous communities and human rights. Furthermore, she is the brand ambassador and educator at the Practitioner for Communication, Counseling and Coaching (PCCC), an organisation which focuses on the growth and personal development of girls and young women.
Read Stefanie’s work: Contamination by cyanide: A threat to environment and tribal livelihoods
💐 Ushar Daniele, Malaysia 🇲🇾
Ushar Daniele is a spirited independent broadcast journalist rocking the scene in vibrant Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! For more than a decade, she’s worked both as a producer and correspondent where she lit up screens on Al Jazeera English, VICE News Tonight, CNN, and even graced the pages of The New York Times with her bylines!
Her incredible dedication and talent were rightfully recognized when she clinched the coveted 2022 Award for Best Environmental Reporting at the Malaysian Press Institute Award night and most recently, picked up the Asian Academy of Creative Award for Best Infotainment Programme with the CNN team for her work as the Malaysian producer on the show Mission Tiger !
View Ushar’s work: Protecting Malaysia’s critically endangered tigers
🌻 Vishani Ragobeer, Guyana 🇬🇾
Vishani is a 23-year-old journalist in Guyana who currently reports for the News Room Inc. She is also part of the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship with Climate Tracker.
Vishani has a keen interest in science journalism and data visualisation. She recently won the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s television award for the advancement of media and information literacy. She also won awards from the Guyana Press Association and the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization.
Read Vishani’s work: Dengue cases surged this year. Is it because of climate change?
VIRTUAL FELLOWS
🌳 Adelaide Moyo, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
Adelaide is a business and financial news writer based in Zimbabwe. She is interested in the intersection between climate and the economy. More recently, she has been dedicating more coverage to the private sector’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean energy.
She has been a journalist for over seven years and has won multiple awards. Adelaide has a degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She is a fellow at the Oxford Climate Journalism Network.
Read Adelaide’s work: Africa calls for climate change reparation – The Financial Gazette
🦎 Bibiana Maia da Silva, Brasil 🇧🇷
Bibiana Maia da Silva is a Brazilian environmental journalist with a master’s degree in Sustainable Development Practices and an MBA in Sustainable Business Management. For over ten years, she has contributed to major media outlets in Brazil, such as CNN, Folha de S. Paulo, UOL, and Grupo Globo, as well as independent initiatives like Colabora and O Eco, dedicated to environmental topics. She currently resides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As an authentic carioca, in her free time, she enjoys the beach, watching football matches, and playing the saxophone and drums in carnival groups.
Read Bibiana’s work: Contratação de termelétricas coloca em xeque compromisso climático Brasileiro
😎 Chimwemwe Padatha, Malawi 🇲🇼
Chimwemwe is a freelance Journalist from Malawi, a Correspondent for Germany’s International Broadcaster, Radio Deutsche Welle (DW) and a contributor for the Voice of America (VOA). He is a Media and Communication professional and 2023 alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S Department of State’s exchange program.
In December 2022, Chimwemwe emerged as one of the awardees of the Rare Disease Reporting fellowship programme under the National Press Foundation (NPF). Chimwemwe is a 2016 fellow for the International Journalist Programme (IJP) and a 2018 Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi’s) Supply Chain of Essential Medicine journalist awardee.
Listen to Chimwemwe’s work: Malawian youths demand for greater say on climate change issues
🌍 Isabel Alarcón, Ecuador 🇪🇨
Isabel is an Ecuadorian journalist specialising in the environment. Her work has been published in national and international media and her career began in 2014 at the newspaper El Comercio, where she worked for 8 years, before jumping into the world of freelancing.
She has been a Fellow of the International Center For Journalists (ICFJ), Earth Journalism Network (EJN), Gabo Foundation, Global Biodiversity Network, Climate Tracker, and the Pulitzer Center. Isabel was one of the 3 finalists in the best text category of the Jorge Mantilla Ortega 2022 National Journalism Award and she covered COP15 in Canada.
Read Isabel’s work: Green hydrogen would boost the construction of hydroelectric plants in Ecuador
🌄 Jarrel de Matas, Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
Jarrel De Matas is Visiting Lecturer at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He holds a B.A. and M.A. In English Literature from The University of the West Indies. He is currently a final-year PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
In addition to his research interests, Jarrel is a weekly columnist for The Daily Express, one of the major newspapers in his home country, Trinidad and Tobago. Jarrel’s columns and other non-academic writing can be read here.
Read Jarrel’s work: Turning down the heat in schools
🐬 Josephine Christopher, Tanzania 🇹🇿
Josephine Christopher is a journalist for The Citizen newspaper published by Mwananchi Communications Ltd.
In addition to her Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), she holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics and Agribusiness from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
She covers areas of climate change, energy, mining, environment, gender, health, and business.
Read Josephine’s work: Clock ticking on Tanzania’s coal business
🦋 Richie Ferrol, Dominica 🇩🇲
Richie loves music and multimedia. He has over 8 years of experience as a Multimedia Professional, with work focusing on Climate Change, Health, Climate Justice, Gender Equality, and Renewable Energy. He is also a musician and artist with over 15 years of experience, his favourite genres include Bouyon, Reggae, Hip hop, EDM, Soca, Calypso, Cadencelypso, Trap, Zouk and Salsa
Read Richie’s work: The impact of climate change on the disabled communities’ health in Dominica
🐠 Soon Li Wei, Malaysia 🇲🇾
Li Wei is a bilingual journalist at the Malaysia National News Agency (BERNAMA). Mostly write about science and the environment in English and Malay. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Li Wei continually enhances her journalistic skills by actively participating in various online and in-person workshops.
When not immersed in meeting deadlines, Li Wei thrives in the great outdoors, drawing inspiration from the wonders of nature. She also enjoys spending time with her two mischievous female cats, Minnie and Jimmie at home. Also speaks Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Read Soon Li Wei’s work: Turning Landfill Waste To Energy – Sweden’s Success Story
🦚 Vincent Owino, Kenya 🇰🇪
Vincent is a business journalist with a passion for climate reporting. A trained economist and statistician, his reporting is always focused on how human economic activities, technology, and government policies, intentionally and unintentionally impact our environment. Vincent considers himself a watchdog, a vanguard, and a curious soul, traits which enable him to do fearlessly and truthfully what he can to save the planet.
Read Vincent’s work: Will agroforestry solve food crises?
🚀 Join Us in Empowering Their Voices!
As we celebrate these winners, we invite you to stay tuned for their groundbreaking articles, videos, and interactive online experiences. Follow us on social media, share their stories, and be part of the experience.
About Climate Tracker
Climate Tracker is a global network of young climate journalists, storytellers, and researchers committed to advancing climate justice. Through impactful storytelling, we aim to raise awareness, drive action, and foster a deep sense of environmental stewardship among communities worldwide.
