If teamwork makes the dream work, these climate collaborations are stretching that idea to planetary scales. Across sectors as varied as journalism, professional sports, and college athletics, groups are proving that coordinated action beats solo heroics in the climate fight. Here’s how they’re doing it.
Hotspots Journalism: Digging Deep for Geothermal Stories
Colorado Public Radio (CPR) took team reporting to new depths—literally. Their Climate Solutions Team produced Hotspots, an Earth Day series tracking Colorado’s geothermal revolution. Reporters fanned out to:
- Chaffee County, where a company wants to build Colorado’s first geothermal power plant beneath Mt. Princeton
- Denver’s historic steam heating system, now eyeing a geothermal makeover
- Pierce, an oil-and-gas town considering geothermal projects to pivot its energy economy The team didn’t just observe—they engaged drillers, policymakers, and homeowners installing backyard thermal systems. “Bipartisan enthusiasm doesn’t always capture local concerns,” their reporting cautions, showing how collaborative journalism can map both promise and pitfalls.
POW-er Dressing: Athletes as Climate Ambassadors
When the entire U.S. Ski Team competed in Norway with melting glaciers printed on their suits, it wasn’t just fashion—it was a collaboration with Protect Our Winters (POW), a climate nonprofit founded by snowboarder Jeremy Jones. Athletes like Olympic skier Jessie Diggins now use their gear as billboards for climate action. “This is the future of our sport and our planet,” Diggins told reporters. The partnership proves athletic gear isn’t just about sponsors—it can spark conversations on sustainability.
Duke’s All-Star Climate Team
Duke University’s Athletics Climate Team (ACT) is scoring points for sustainability:
- Green Game Days: Events with waste-reduction pilots and gear drives
- The DSAG Playbook: A 50+ member student group tackling everything from energy audits to fan education
- Cross-Department Huddles: Coaches, facilities staff, and sustainability experts aligning operations with climate goals “It’s about embedding sustainability into our culture,” says student leader Brandon Hersh. By involving everyone from star players to concession workers, ACT shows climate action thrives on bench depth.
The Earthshot Effect: Global Solution Networks
November’s Earthshot Prize in Rio will again spotlight teams turning climate ideas into reality. Past winners include ocean restorers and smart-grid designers whose projects prove collaboration crosses borders. The awards act like a greenhouse for partnerships, helping innovators share blueprints rather than guard secrets.
Media’s Team Huddle: Spotlighting Climate Wins
Reporters in 2025 increasingly focus on teams making progress, like farmers adopting regenerative practices or towns launching solar cooperatives. This isn’t feel-good fluff—it’s strategic storytelling that says, “Here’s how we do it, together.” When media collaborates with communities to share solutions, hope becomes tangible.
Why Teamwork Wins
- Distributed Expertise: Geothermal projects need drillers and policymakers
- Cultural Leverage: Athletes reach fans beyond typical climate audiences
- Scalability: Campus models like Duke’s can template nationwide programs These stories share a throughline: No single MVP can tackle climate change. But when reporters, athletes, students, and engineers pass the ball? That’s when the game changes.
References:
- https://www.cpr.org/2025/04/22/cpr-climate-team-reporting-on-geothermal-energy/
- https://www.commondreams.org/news/89-climate-majority
- https://www.olympics.com/en/news/earth-day-2025-jessie-diggins-olympians-speaking-climate-issues-only-planet
- https://www.earth.com/news/climate-wins-in-2025-came-from-unexpected-places/
- https://today.duke.edu/2025/04/duke-athletics-climate-team-leaders-and-field
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change
- https://skepticalscience.com/2025-SkS-Weekly-News-Roundup_16.html
- https://do.bonita.k12.ca.us/announcements/
