Coffee Consumption & Climate Change in the Media

In “Yeah, actually, your plastic coffee pod may not be great for the climate,” NPR writer Julia Simon responds to articles from this past week that claimed coffee pods, like ones used in Keurigs, have a smaller carbon footprint. If you read the article, Simon discusses how these headlines are misleading to readers.

Simon's article examines how different media organizations like The Washington Post incorrectly interpreted information based solely off one non-peer reviewed Canadian study. Simon points out that the headlines run by multiple news outlets may have made readers happy or relieved, but they were inaccurate. Other, peer reviewed studies have found that coffee pods are not more environmentally friendly. And while yes, coffee pods may use less water and less electricity, carbon emissions are still being used to create and, hopefully, recycle the pods.

As far as creative techniques go, Simon’s title is conversational, immediately telling readers that this article is a response in a long, complicated debate around climate change. The photo at the top of the heading shows a pile of boxed coffee cups, Starbucks Pike Place Roast, from a Costco Warehouse. Everything about the image speaks to consumerism at large. Readers can also listen to the radio segment where Simon and the radio host discuss the information, which for some readers may be easier to digest then Simon’s article.

This is a topic of which anyone living on Earth should have some understanding. Also, unlike many news website, readers don't have to sign-up to access NPR's content, which means anyone could access this article. I think this article brings many voices to the table in the discussion over climate change, and brings up some strong points about the roll media plays in the conversation on climate change.