When Brian Reed applied to the Above the Fray fellowship, he had zero foreign reporting experience — but he was perfectly poised for the challenge. He showed a natural gift for story-telling, a This American Life stint under his belt that proved he wasn't afraid to take an unorthodox approach, and a pitch that hooked us immediately: a biblical-size tale of climate change from a place we didn't even know how to pronounce.

Follow even more of his journey in photos and behind the scenes via our blog.

2023 Update: Brian is a senior producer for This American Life and host of The Trojan Horse Affair and S-Town. You can follow him on Twitter @brihreed

• “Climate Change And Faith Collide In Kiribati” — Two-Part Series: Part 1, Morning Edition, 2/16/2011

• “Preparing For Sea Level Rise, Islanders Leave Home” —Two-Part Series: Part 2, Morning Edition, 2/17/2011

• “Out Here Climate Change Is A Matter Of National Survival” — NPR.org, 11/9/2010

• “At-Risk Nations Sign Climate Declaration” — NPR.org, 11/10/2010

• “Climate Change Debate Within Kiribati” — NPR.org, 11/17/2010

• “Kiribati: Making Conservation Economically Viable” — NPR.org, 11/18/2010

• “Water, Water Everywhere, And Not A Drop To Swim In” — NPR.org, 11/22/2010

• “A Kiribati Village Slowly Succumbs To The Sea Around It” — NPR.org, 12/1/2010