Recent developments in gene editing, starting with CRISPR/Cas9, are increasing our capacity to efficiently and effectively edit genetic material. However, as the technological capabilities for gene editing advance, so do the potential impacts on the environment. The purpose of this special issue of Environmental Communication is to bring together research that focuses on communication about gene editing, particularly as it relates to environmental, agricultural, and health-related topics. We invite original, empirical submissions that use either qualitative or quantitative methods and a wide variety of approaches and viewpoints. Regardless of method or approach, all articles should be theoretically informed, evidence-based, and written in a style that is broadly accessible and understandable to an interdisciplinary audience. The main focus of this special issue on gene editing is the environment and agriculture, but applications relating to human health will also be considered.

As communities worldwide prepare for the impacts of climate change, the concept of resilience -- the ability to withstand, recover from, and adapt to periodic shocks and major disruptions -- is becoming central to the political and public understanding of complex events and processes, such as stronger storms, severe flooding, intense heat, and rising sea-levels. But if nations, cities, and communities are to prepare effectively for climate impacts, they must be able to rely on resilience-focused journalism that calls attention to and explains complex and uncertain threats and solutions, and holds elected officials and institutions accountable.

Yet building the media and journalistic capacity to respond to such ongoing public needs remains difficult. Budgetary pressures at national and local newspapers and public radio outlets, in many countries, have led to significant cuts in coverage of climate change and related topics. Moreover, when climate change is discussed publicly, with a few notable exceptions, the problem remains defined as an environmental problem, as a pollution mitigation issue, as a polarized political conflict, or in terms of short-term disaster recovery. Too often missing in news coverage is a sustained focus on climate change as a long-term resilience and adaptation challenge that requires actions across sectors of the economy, government, and society.

This special issue of Environmental Communication seeks to identify, explore, and analyse the multiple dimensions of resilience, climate change, and journalism.