the media in climate sustainable development by patrick luganda-(chairman) network of climate...
TRANSCRIPT
The Media in Climate Sustainable Development
By Patrick Luganda-(Chairman)NETWORK OF CLIMATE JOURNALISTS IN THE GREATER HORN OF AFRICA
(NECJOGHA)
Media Role
We are building on the Traditional Pillars of the basic global media roles to: Inform Educate EntertainThe truth is the common denominator.
And, the truth will set us free. Report responsibly
Role of the Media
Achieving successful education by the media requires to win:
Public Trust & Public Confidence This creates the Foundation for an
effective Public Communication of Science and Technology
The Various Media Print-Newspapers, Newsletters, magazines Radio-Fm Stations, National Radio, Community
Radio Television-National, International Channels Internet-World Wide Web ICT- Information Communication Technology Mass Meetings-Local Communities Brochures-Easy to read and understand Posters-Strategically located Billboards-Communication linked to advertising Theatre, plays and video shows
Situation Analysis
Climate reporting challenging Climate information not reaching
the intended recipients The media has been responding to
crisis Lack critical mass climate
journalists more science/media interaction to
build capacity for both sectors
Media in COF Process3 Propose Africa Climate Media Initiative to
consolidate fragmented media communication efforts currently supported by WMO, ACMAD, ICPAC, SADC-DMC, CLIMDEV, IRI, NOAA-OGP, IPFCC, International Climate centers, NHMS in RA1, NGOs etc.
Need to develop a comprehensive Africa media strategy document for the next 5-10 years
Climate Communication Concerns
Seasonal forecast dissemination Climate vulnerability Climate Change Communication Climate Change Adaptation Communication in local languages Application of Climate Information Disaster Risk Communication Socio-economic benefits
Media Needs Good stories with all the attributes built
around the 5W and H Powerful stories well researched and
professionally assembled Consumable material for our varied
audiences Creating an atmosphere of confidence,
trust leading to acceptance for public benefit
Sustained Development
Media enriches the knowledge to do things better.
Disaster risk reduction Dissemination of climate information
enables better agriculture practices and increases productivity
Improves public health awareness and enables public expenditure savings
Savings in construction, power industry generation, transport systems
Sustained Development
Educated public is a permanent achievement
Informed public able to make improved decision making at all levels
Dissemination of climate information leads to informed public debate
Better acceptance and appreciation of climate information for development
Sustained Development- Appreciation of climate information
leads to better utilization & adaptation strategies
Projected Climate change disruptions especially in fragile economies can be managed by societies learning basics of climate change through the media
Factoring climate change information healthy for sustained planning of economies, governments etc
Water Supply A major concern for survival. Water availability determines the food on
the table, the health of the communities and survival of livestock
Water quality determines child mortality and this is very critical in Africa including urban areas
Water leads to conflicts and may lead to tribal deaths in pastoral communities like the Karamoja and Masaai clusters in East Africa
Water Supply2 Availing information on water flow in river
basins may prove essential for survival of thousands of water dependent people
Advance information needs to be made available to decision makers well in time
Enables planning for irrigation, hydro power generation, construction and infrastructure projects, production etc
Humanitarian relief planning
Climate Change-Urban Pressures Rural-urban migration causing
pressures on the facilities in the cities Survival off the land more difficult with
worsening climate change. Leading to migration to towns
City authorities hard pressed to cope even with things like garbage control
The media can play an important role in raising awareness and developing strategies to cope with the increased pressures.
Climate Change-Food Security
Africa to increase rapid food production, timely climate information needed
Leads to informed decision at productive windows of opportunity
Land selection, land use preparation
Climate Change-Food Security
Seed selection, preparation or acquisition
Input decisions including loans Water for production application
(irrigation)
Food Security Using window of opportunity theory
undertake: Timely planting Fertilizer application (for soil enrichment) Timely weeding Diseases and pest control management
regimes Timely Harvesting Post harvest losses reduction/control Storage for future utilization
Food Security and Marketing Armed with Climate information important
decisions can be made on amounts of food to store for food reserve and excess for sale.
Good food forecast estimates can be made to exploit market opportunities
Opportunities exist to turn challenges into wealth. We can turn Africa into a credible food basket using climate information together with market information analysis etc
The African Media Lessons
What Has Happened? The media in Africa has started working
closely with the Climate Science Community to spearheaded the timely dissemination of climate information
The critical mass of reporters still wanting
Specialized beats absent The COP meetings at the global level,
several regional meetings and Climate Outlook Forums are major interaction for the media and the scientists.
What…..? GHA Media is advocating for a global
drive for the media to play a more active role in climate information dissemination
When a handful of journalists in the region came together in The Network of Climate Journalists in the Greater Horn of Africa-NECJOGHA- it gave birth to “Climate Journalism”, “Climate Journalist.” Still developing
Impact Analysis So far Has the media dissemination been
effective? Have the media stories influenced
decisions at various levels? Have we become better reporters? Has the interaction created more
informative media houses in the GHA? How has this relationship enriched the
quality of journalists in the GHA?
Impacts From analyzing the past relationship we can
map the way forward. The media needs to look far beyond the
present situation to be able to have a more meaningful, effective and beneficial Public Communication of Climate Science Information
Africa has been in the forefront of the RCOFs process and is likewise at the helm of building a vibrant and responsive Climate Media. It needs our concerted support
Way Forward-Proposals Regular Climate Communication events Impact Studies of media
communication Document impacts of climate
variability and climate change in Africa Media persons need to write
international articles on climate change and adaptation to give the world the true African perspective