Pulitzer Center Update May 21, 2026
Energy Transition Is an Urgent Matter — and Talking About It Is a Fundamental Part of the Process
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The First Conference on Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to April 29, 2026, opened up an important space to reflect on how we as a society can enable pathways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
In the face of growing frustration with the outcomes of Conference of the Parties (COPs), there is an increasing understanding that countries truly committed to reducing fossil fuel dependence must work together to develop new ways of thinking about development, growth, and international cooperation. While diplomatic talks and technical development remain central to this debate, it also became clear that communication and journalism are essential tools for making a just transition aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
In this context, the Pulitzer Center and Mídia Ninja, together with partners such as Climainfo, Mongabay, Climate Tracker, and Tinta, organized "Mapa de las Palavras," or "Map of Words," a gathering to how to communicate the pathways toward a just energy transition. After all, beyond a roadmap, we also need a “Map of Words” and storytelling to inform audiences.
The event brought together around 80 participants from different countries, cultures, and organizations. Presentations by Tica Minami (Climainfo, Brazil), Daniela Quintero (Mongabay, Latam), Abigail Gualinga (Vice President of the Sarayaku Nation, Ecuador), and Yutsu Maiche (Indigenous communicator from MULLO TV, Ecuador) offered important perspectives on communication, journalism, and leadership-building in oil-producing countries across Latin America. The experiences shared demonstrated how narratives committed to climate justice can have concrete impacts, shape conversation, promote civic engagement, and create positive, lasting change.
After the presentations, participants were invited to reflect on the following question: “How can we strengthen narratives that make a fossil fuel phase-out both viable and desirable?” The discussion was marked by broad participation and important reflections on the future of climate communication.
Among the key points raised was the importance of investigative journalism grounded in reliable data, transparency, and climate governance—in addition, of course, to discussions related to forests and the ocean. Participants also emphasized the need to translate this information into different forms of storytelling capable of engaging diverse cultures and audiences. Furthermore, Indigenous worldviews and knowledge emerged as essential elements for imagining possible futures and building new ways of relating to territories and nature.
Fabio Bispo, Pulitzer Center grantee and investigative reporter at InfoAmazonia, was present at the gathering and found the experience rich and reflective.
“The focus on territorial communication and the challenges of making climate information more effective in contexts marked by polarization and informational fragmentation were especially relevant," Bispo said. "In a scenario where public debates are increasingly confined within ideological bubbles, it is important to hear professionals from different backgrounds, strategies, and languages discussing how to reach diverse audiences without losing precision or depth. There were very distinct approaches, but also a shared goal of finding more effective ways to connect public interest information with the people directly affected by these transformations."
The strong participation and diversity of attendees reaffirmed the importance of expanding spaces like this one, capable of connecting journalists, communicators, leaders, and organizations around a shared challenge: building narratives that not only explain the energy transition, but also inspire societies to build toward it.
