Climate Change Journalism: A Call to Action for the Media

Aditi Sharma:

Climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Scientific consensus has established that the harmful environmental and socio-economic impacts of climate change will continue to worsen unless there is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions shortly. Climate change has become a prevalent topic of discussion worldwide, with global organizations such as the United Nations, national regulatory bodies, and local communities all weighing in on the issue. However, the fundamental question of whether we are taking enough action to address climate change remains unanswered.

To begin answering this question, it is important to consider the actions that have already been taken to address climate change. From a global perspective, there have been several initiatives, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, the International Carbon Action Partnership, the Global Environment Facility, the Muslim Seven-Year Action Plan on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement. These initiatives have been critical in understanding and counteracting the impacts of climate change.

On a national level, India has taken significant steps to address climate change with the launch of its National Action Plan on Climate Change on June 30th, 2008. The NAPCC identifies measures that promote development objectives while also yielding co-benefits for effectively addressing climate change. This has led to several offshoots of the NAPCC, such as the National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Water Mission, National Mission for Green India, and others.

Additionally, there has been a significant effort to raise awareness of climate change and its impacts through the celebration of events such as World Environment Day on 5th June, Water Day on 22nd March, Earth Day on 22nd April, and many others. These days hold significant importance at the community level, in educational institutes, as well as industrial and non-industrial setups.

Furthermore, there has been much deliberation around the measurability of climate impact. Metrics such as Carbon Credits and Carbon Footprint have been introduced to help ascertain our progress and identify the necessary actions to be taken. Additionally, the reporting of climate change has become a major aspect of understanding its impact. How climate change is reported and communicated can influence public opinion, drive policy changes, and impact the effectiveness of climate change initiatives. As such, it is crucial to ensure accurate and consistent reporting to help address this global issue.

Driving change
Driving change through media both digital and print media play a significant role in creating public awareness and promoting responsiveness towards climate change. However, it is important to recognize that reporting on climate change can be challenging and susceptible to misinterpretation. This has led to the propagation of false information based on limited and sometimes inaccurate information.

Climate change is often incident-centric, with reporting only occurring when events such as cloud bursts, flash floods, or forest fires take place. This leads to a focus solely on the event itself, rather than the underlying problem. The far-reaching impacts of climate change, such as changing temperatures and the detrimental effects on biodiversity, are often overlooked. Additionally, there is limited awareness about government policies, research, and the benefits of these policies in mitigating the impact of climate change. The nuance of effective communication often goes missing in reporting on this issue.

To drive change, it is crucial for media outlets to accurately and consistently report on climate change and its impact, while also promoting understanding of government policies and research in this field. By doing so, the media can contribute to building public awareness and support for initiatives that mitigate the effects of climate change.

As a community, we must take sufficient action to combat climate change. This requires that every social and environmental intervention percolates to the individual level. Climate change is a concern for both the public and the government. The U.N. World Meteorological Organization has reported that people on every continent are being affected by climate change. However, despite this, have people's values, personal experiences, and everyday conversations changed? Unfortunately, a recent study suggests that people generally perceive climate change as a distant and passive issue that lies within the jurisdiction of governments or scientists. This lack of awareness is even more concerning because it highlights the ambiguity surrounding the role of individuals in addressing climate change. This lack of general awareness is not just limited to the public but also extends to journalists who are part of the public. The media is usually the most common source of information for the general public, but stories on the occurrence of events triggered by climate change often overshadow the underlying issue. A general lack of scientific voices or resources in these stories is also observed.

While staged events like environment conferences and seminars do grab direct public attention, the desired effect at the individual level often gets lost. To drive change, individuals must be made aware of the role they can play in combating climate change. This requires more accurate and consistent reporting on climate change and the underlying issues, as well as promoting an understanding of the individual & #39;s role in mitigating its effects. By doing so, individuals can be empowered to take action and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Role of local media in Bridging the gap
Indeed, local media can play a crucial role in fostering awareness and engagement on climate change. They are better placed to inform and educate people about the local impacts of climate change, as well as local initiatives and solutions. This is especially important since climate change impacts are often felt differently in different regions, and local communities may have unique perspectives and experiences. Moreover, local media can provide a platform for community voices, including indigenous and marginalized groups, who are often left out of mainstream coverage. By highlighting local stories, local media can also inspire and motivate individuals to take action in their communities. It is important to recognize the potential of local media in driving change and to support them in their efforts to communicate effectively on climate change.

The Urgency of Addressing Climate Change Now
There is an urgent need for specialized training for journalists to report on climate change effectively. This includes technical training on accessing accurate data, scientific research, and new technologies. Training sessions and workshops should be organized by specialized institutions with the participation of different stakeholders like the government, policymakers, and scientists to increase public engagement and understanding. Such solutions are essential in altering the current situation and bringing change in the mindset of journalists at the national and local levels.

To promote journalism specific to climate change, opportunities must be given to those willing to enter this field. This will help bring about attitudinal and behavioral changes among the masses. It is crucial to recognize that issues related to indigenous ideological culture, journalistic standards, and domestic media systems have a significant impact on media coverage but are often neglected.

The function of any medium, whether print, television, or digital, is not just to inform but also to educate. Education is the key to any initiative of change, be it social or environmental, and the individual is the basic unit of society. Without individuals taking on the role of change agents, any change will remain a distant dream.
Therefore, the time to act is now.

(The writer is an Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Government Degree College in Himachal Pradesh)