As journalists, it is our duty to shed light on the most critical issues of our time. One such issue that has been vastly underreported is the impending threat of future rainfall due to climate change and the potential for devastating flooding in Detroit. Recognizing the gravity of this issue, we were fortunate to receive substantial funding from the Poynter Institute to delve into this topic and produce a collaborative series titled Metro Detroit’s Rainy Future in partnership with Planet Detroit and Michigan Radio.
This series aims to raise awareness and ignite conversations about the current and future impacts of climate change-induced rainfall on life and property in the metro Detroit area. In order to accomplish this, our team dedicated countless hours to meticulous research, planning, and understanding the scientific and socioeconomic aspects of climate change. We conducted in-depth interviews, fact-checking, and data analysis to ensure accuracy and comprehensibility in our stories. A skilled editor played a crucial role in making the technical subject matter accessible to our readers.
One of the challenges we faced during this reporting process was obtaining access to essential data and information from officials. However, this struggle underscored the importance of transparency in public offices and the critical role journalism plays in upholding this transparency.
The Metro Detroit’s Rainy Future series has struck a chord with both the local community and a wider audience, bringing attention to the potential challenges they may face due to climate change. Geoff Grant, a civil engineer at Brown and Caldwell, expressed the significance of our series in a Facebook post, emphasizing the relatable nature of the increased flooding caused by high-intensity rainfall events and aging infrastructure. Grant highlighted how our work draws attention to the often overlooked world of municipal infrastructure and the urgent need for focus in order to maintain a high quality of life in our society.
Our partnership with Michigan Radio has been instrumental in the success of this series. Their expertise and deep understanding of local insights have enriched our stories, ensuring they resonate with the community. Michigan Radio also provided valuable resources, including expert editing that refined our narratives and added an audio dimension to our stories through radio production capabilities, enhancing their reach and impact.
By joining forces, our collaboration has amplified the significance of our series. Michigan Radio’s extensive listener base has increased the visibility of these stories, enabling the urgent issue of future rainfall to reach a larger audience.
To conclude this series, we organized a live tour of a groundbreaking flood mitigation project led by Jeff Bednar, the lead engineer for Macomb County. Bednar showcased the use of green infrastructure and innovative soil composition to combat the threat of future rainfall in highly urbanized areas. The tour allowed community members to witness firsthand the measures being taken to mitigate flooding and highlighted the urgent need for more effective stormwater management in the face of climate change.
The journey does not stop here. We remain committed to continuing our coverage of this critical issue. There are more stories to be told, facts to be uncovered, and awareness to be raised. We are currently in the process of identifying the most impactful stories to bring to our audience, as well as exploring potential collaborations and initiatives to broaden our reach and impact.
Thanks to the support of the Poynter Institute grant, our work extends far beyond a simple series of stories. It is a rallying cry, urging action against the imminent threat of climate change. Metro Detroit’s Rainy Future represents our unwavering commitment to our community and the environment.
With concerted efforts and collaborative partnerships, we can strive to create change and a more sustainable future in the face of climate challenges like the threat of future rainfall in Detroit.
