Alex Kirby, the former BBC environment correspondent who dedicated decades to reporting on the climate crisis, has died at the age of 86. The journalist, who in his later years co-founded the specialist Climate News Network, passed away after a battle with cancer.
His career in environmental journalism was defined by his 1987 appointment as the BBC’s environment and agriculture correspondent, a role he held for 18 years. The position took him around the world and cemented his focus on the evolving climate crisis, as described by The Guardian.
Before finding his niche in environmental reporting, Kirby’s professional life followed a different path. He studied theology at Keble College, Oxford, trained for the priesthood at a theological college in Mirfield, Yorkshire, and was ordained as a deacon in the Isle of Dogs, east London.
He left the church to become the editor of Race Today, the journal of the Institute of Race Relations, in 1970. After a period of voluntary work in west Africa and a role with the World Council of Churches’ Programme to Combat Racism in Geneva, he joined the BBC World Service in 1978.
Following his time as environment correspondent, he also served as the BBC’s religious affairs correspondent, contributing to the radio coverage of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. He left the corporation in 2005.
In 2013, Kirby joined forces with a group of former journalists, including the Guardian’s Paul Brown and Tim Radford, to launch the Climate News Network. The media organisation was committed to providing free and accessible stories about the climate crisis and ran for nine years. During this period, Kirby also wrote articles for the Guardian.
Early life and family
Alex Kirby was born in Liverpool to Frederic, an insurance clerk, and Beryl, a homemaker. He grew up in Sefton Park during the second world war and had three older brothers. He was sent to a preparatory boarding school in Kent at age eight, an experience he despised, and later attended King’s College Taunton before going up to Oxford.
His father died when Kirby was 13. He is survived by his wife, Belinda, whom he married in 1972, his two sons, Thomas and the writer of the source article, and his grandchildren, Ramses and Filou, with a third grandchild expected. In his personal time, he enjoyed family holidays in Cornwall, walking his dogs on the South Downs, and visiting pubs with friends.
