Energy Communications Intern

Program/Department Overview

Environmental Defense Fund is working across modes to ensure that global transport is a thriving part of sustainable development, the global economy, and can deliver the goods and mobility people need to thrive without compromising clean air or climate stability. EDF is committed to making the shipping sector’s transition away from fossil fuels as efficient and fair as possible. EDF brings relevant scientific knowledge and research to the International Maritime Organization and serves as a trusted partner and advisor to both Member States and Industry. EDF proudly works with industry partners to ensure their projects are scientifically sound and to minimize the impacts of marine fuels on the climate, human health and the environment.

Overall Function

The intern will support the shipping communications team in creating our media strategy by analyzing coverage of key issue areas across domestic and international outlets. The intern will identify and produce a report summarizing successful story angles, recurring narratives, and impactful quotes from both Environmental Defense Fund experts and partner organizations to help us understand what types of voices and expertise are most frequently elevated in the media. This role will offer hands-on experience in strategic communications, media analysis, climate advocacy, and direct work with expert environmental communicators and subject matter experts working at the intersection of policy, industry, and environmental impact. They will report to the Communications Specialist, Energy Transition.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring current global shipping media coverage and researching past coverage.
• Cataloging and analyzing highlighted quotes and speakers.
• Producing a report summarizing trends in storytelling, spokesperson profiles, and messaging approaches.
• Building a database of subject matter experts.
• Develop insights that inform messaging for critical communications movements.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• Other tasks, as needed, to achieve stated project goals

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or recent graduate of a undergraduate degree program with demonstrated interest in climate, journalism or communications, environmental policy, global shipping, or related sustainability issues
• Coursework in environmental studies, communications, journalism, environmental policy, international relations, or a related field recommended.
• Experience in media analysis, research, communications, or content development a plus.
• Basic proficiency in research methods, spreadsheets, document organization; familiarity with media monitoring tools a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.

Location

U.S. Remote with option tobe hybrid out of an EDF office in New York, NY, Austin TX, Boulder, CO, Boston, MA, and Washington DC, Raleigh, NC, with a preference for San Francisco, CA. Intern supervisor is in San Francisco and team members are located both in the United States and abroad.

Term

Summer 2026 (10 Weeks)

Hours

Part Time (20 hr/week)

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18/hr.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.