Media production students Zoë Oliver and Adam Roth recently attended the 2026 Planet Forward Summit in Washington, D.C., gaining firsthand experience in climate communication and environmental storytelling.
The Planet Forward Summit, held at George Washington University, brought together students, community leaders, and climate advocates from across the country to explore how storytelling and media can play a powerful role in addressing environmental challenges. Through panels and discussions led by community organizers and communication professionals, attendees examined strategies for using narrative, creativity, and advocacy to engage communities around climate issues.
Oliver and Roth learned about the summit through Daniel Reed, Associate Director for Climate Change Communication at Mason, and their production professor. Reed is scheduled to teach COMM 397: Environmental Storytelling in Fall 2026; a course offered as part of the media production curriculum and encouraged students to attend the summit to connect coursework with real‑world practice.
“I’m always looking to expand my knowledge about climate advocacy because it’s a cause that affects the future of my generation,” said Oliver. “The summit helped me better understand how storytelling and media can be used to create real impact.”
Roth emphasized the importance of the creative community he encountered at the event. “It was so inspiring to be surrounded by so many young people who were passionate about storytelling,” he said. “The experience reinforced my interest in using media production to tell stories that matter.”
The summit offered students practical insights into environmental communication while helping them clarify their future academic and career goals. For Oliver and Roth, the experience underscored how media production skills can be applied beyond the classroom, serving tools for advocacy, connection, and positive change.