Climate change must dominate media

  1. Posted on Wednesday 23 June 2010 - 16:33
    joan
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    Joyce J Wangui in Bonn, Germany
    The media has been urged to act as chroniclers and interpreters of the fight against climate change, according to Yvo de Boer, the Executive Secretary of UNFCC.
    global forum
    Boer said the media need to report climate change without clichés in order to break the jargon to the common man’s understanding. Often times, the content on climate change is quite scientific and controversial, hence the media needs to be conversant with the topic, through research.

    “Journalists need to communicate clearly on what the climate change risks are and how they can be mitigated,” de Boer added.

    Noting that many journalists covered the Copenhagen climate change talks, Boer emphasized on the need for the media to probe on what went wrong and why members of the climate change convention failed to reach an agreement on cutting emissions.

    According to Erik Betterman, the Director General of DW, journalists need to create space for climate change topics in their publications.

    “Journalists need to tackle difficult issues with well-researched stories and show every individual that they can do something to help,” said Bettermann. He went on to say that the Internet, blogs and Twitter are the new platforms for the exchange of ideas and opinions – and more and more people are getting involved in the conversation.

    “The “climate generation” is growing,” he said. “They think differently, go in new directions and are committed to implementing global projects on location.” He said the media must jump in and contribute as well. “They can create awareness for the unforeseeable consequences of climate change – for human beings and the environment. But they can also highlight the potential of moving towards green technology and ecologically friendly consumption and production. They can showcase creativity and innovation, new models of working and new fields of work – as well as a new quality of life.”

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