Defend Truth

22 Questions with Julia Evans

Julia is a relatively new recruit to the Daily Maverick team, having joined the Our Burning Planet team in 2021 where she reports on all things climate crisis. As she finds her feet as a new journalist, there’s one thing she’s sure of: despite how tough the industry can be, it is the most interesting and meaningful thing she’s done so far. We couldn’t agree more! Get to know Julia a bit better with her 22 Questions interview below:

I often zone out during conversations (not because I’m bored, I just have a terrible attention deficit).

With a feeling of existential dread when I hear my alarm go off. But then the promise of food gets me out of bed.

Right now I’d love to do a hike in the Drakensberg. I am strangely passionate about wanting South Africans to visit their own country properly – yes, as great Cape Town is there is more to see outside of the Western Cape!

Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape are actually my favourite places to go on holiday.

Also the most satisfying thing I’ve read in a while – The Guardian article: ‘Word salad of nonsense’: scientists denounce Jordan Peterson’s comments on climate models

Cooking – sometimes I’m too impatient for it.

Why am I like this. (emphasis on the full stop and not question mark. It’s said very monotone)

This is not an intellectual or profound answer but my favourite series when I was a teenager was BBC’s Miranda, it always made my day. So Miranda.

Gwede Mantashe. It would be a lot of fun to completely change the narrative on coal and renewable energy.

Never Tear Us Apart by INXS. It was in a series I was watching this week. I often fall in love with songs played in movies/series because it’s highly emotive and memorable.

 

I always wanted to study at UCT and I got in! I couldn’t believe it when I did.

Don’t think it’s appropriate to say…

Lunch – love the activity of it, hate the “ch” sound.

Falling down the stairs. But I’ve also done that twice and survived so maybe living a life I’m not proud of.

 

Retiring after one year of work would be hilarious. I think either write a fiction novel or maybe volunteer at a school that doesn’t have enough teachers.

What do you wish people did more of, and what do you wish people did less of?

Julia Evans

Our burning planet journalist