Hothouse is original climate journalism with a way to act. As a climate solutions newsletter, we dig into the evidence, figure out what works, and deliver the news to your inbox.
Hothouse publishes investigative reporting about climate solutions. We’re looking for great journalists to write them. We started Hothouse to give readers clear insights into how efforts to tackle climate change are working, and how we can engage with them in our own lives—from our backyards to the ballot box. Think of it as Planet Money for the climate.
Each month, we publish two deep dives on a topic—either reported features or essays—that analyze the people and projects behind climate solutions. The topics we’ve covered so far include seafood, investing, changing careers, electric vehicles, funerals, and (beyond) organic agriculture. We’re open to any and all ideas. We love solutions journalism stories that challenge conventional wisdom. Right now, we’re particularly interested in writers who can tackle:
carbon credits
investing money
transportation
the science of behavior change
packing/delivery
If you’re interested in Hothouse, sign up here and reach out directly to write for us at editors@hothouse.solutions. We pay competitive rates, and have backing from Columbia University, the Solutions Journalism Network, and the Google News Initiative.
Cadence Bambenek
Supporters and Partners:
Mission
Feeling overwhelmed by climate news? So were we. The Hothouse newsletter gives you a way to understand the biggest challenge of our time, and how we’ll get the big solutions we need.
Each month, we focus on a new climate theme from travel to fashion to food, and what you can do in your own life.
There is no one solution to climate change. But there are many.
Designed by journalists and powered by reader donations.
We’re part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism initiative committed to better coverage of the story of our time.
Hothouse Solutions is fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Writers, pitch Hothouse!
Each month we focus on a different theme told through strong, personal stories about people working hard to end climate change. We want to give readers inspiring stories with actionable insights they can relate to their own lives. You should take a solutions journalism approach, critically examining evidence for what works and why. Our tone is positive, inquisitive, and inspiring. A few things we love:
Well-framed, nuanced ideas that tell us something new
Compelling characters and strong personal stories (no need to be famous or powerful).
Critical and rigorous examination of solutions. You should feel comfortable reviewing the scientific literature (if applicable).
Counterintuitive takes on conventional wisdom
Your own original ideas! Upcoming themes include mental health, travel, work, fashion, laundry, climate philosophers, outdoor adventurers, science historians, post-partisan climate politics, talking to kids about the climate crisis. Send us something we've never considered.
To pitch, send a succinct 1-2 paragraph description of your story idea and how you plan to execute it. Include a few bullet points about what topics you normally cover, where you are based, and several clips from the last two years (with links). Please make sure to review the elements of a good solutions journalism story.
We pay 50c per word. Profiles are up to 800 words long and features are up to 1500 words. Hothouse is primarily for US and UK audiences. Pitch to editors@hothouse.solutions.
Editorial Independence
Hothouse is autonomous in its editorial decisions. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.
We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.
Our organization may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.
Our organization will make public all donors who give a total of $1,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.
Advisors
Peter Bearman
Peter Bearman is the founding Director of INCITE at Columbia University, the co-founding director of the Oral History Master of Arts program, and the Jonathan R. Cole Professor of Social Science. In 2019 he was named President of The American Assembly.
A specialist in network analysis and historical sociology, Bearman has authored over 60 peer-reviewed research publications, in addition to three books. Bearman is a 2016 Guggenheim Fellow, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Medicine.
Phillip Smith
Phillip Smith is a veteran digital publishing consultant, online advocacy specialist, and strategic convener.
Jemima Kiss
Jemima Kiss has 18 years’ experience as a reporter and editor covering technology, media and culture. She spent ten years at The Guardian, most recently as head of technology editorial in London and San Francisco. Freelance clients include Medium, Ideo, Slack, and Index Ventures. She has a fine art degree from Dartington College of Arts (BA visual performance) and is a board member of the British Journalism Review.
Contacts
Journalists: editors@hothouse.solutions
General inquiries: hello@hothouse.solutions
