Madison Reporter

Last week, the University of Wisconsin–Madison hosted Great Lakes climate solutions reporter Isabelle “Izzy” Ross. During her visit from October 14-16, Ross engaged with students and researchers to emphasize the role of local journalism in climate coverage.

Ross, serving as this semester’s Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalist in Residence, participated in various activities including a public talk at the Wisconsin Science Festival. She shared insights from her work with Interlochen Public Radio and Grist, a digital magazine focused on climate solutions.

During her visit, she toured Lake Mendota and met with experts such as Tyler Butts, a post-doctoral researcher studying invasive species like zebra mussels. "David Buoy," an anchored weather buoy managed by the UW–Madison Department of Limnology, was also part of her exploration.

At an event titled Big Ideas for Busy People: Fields of Wonder, Ross spoke about local journalism's significance. The event featured flash talks interspersed with artistic performances. Ross emphasized building trust within communities to effectively report on climate issues they face daily.

Throughout her stay, Ross highlighted how local journalism can provide crucial information amid the widespread influence of social media platforms.