Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Absalom Shigwedha
Published on 2024-02-22 15:00:00
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has called on local journalists to prioritize climate change and environmental reporting, recognizing the powerful impact that the media can have in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. This plea was made during a five-day national media training workshop on climate change and environmental reporting, which was officially opened by Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in Swakopmund last week.
Muyunda emphasized that Namibia is particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change due to its arid and semi-arid environment. These impacts include a negative effect on water resources and people’s livelihoods, making it crucial for individuals to take action in caring for the environment.
The objective of the workshop was to equip local journalists with a fundamental understanding of climate change, conservation, and the sustainable use of marine and terrestrial biodiversity. It also aimed to raise awareness among journalists about the main challenges, trade-offs, and issues related to environmental pressures and their effects on people’s livelihoods.
Muyunda highlighted the various projects, policies, and programs that Namibia has implemented to address climate change at the national level, as well as the country’s commitment to numerous international environmental legal instruments. He emphasized the importance of journalists understanding these laws and principles.
Frederico Links, a media trainer, noted that climate change reporting is still an emerging field in journalism. He stressed the need for deeper reporting on climate change issues in order to foster greater public understanding. This sentiment was echoed by Hilka Ndjaula from the University of Namibia, who presented on the impacts of climate change in Namibia, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to adapt to, mitigate, and become resilient to these impacts.
Henry Ndengedjeho, the national coordinator of the Climate Change and Inclusive Use of Natural Resources (CCUI) project, discussed the importance of biodiversity conservation and international legal frameworks for conservation. He highlighted the various threats to biodiversity in Namibia, including climate change, reduced rainfall, mining, unsustainable use, and unsustainable fisheries. Ndengedjeho also emphasized that Namibia has established laws, policies, and programs to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The training workshop was made possible through the funding by the CCIU project, in collaboration with the Deutsche Welle Akademie (Namibia), Namibia Nature Foundation, and Namibia Media Trust.
In conclusion, the training workshop aimed to empower local journalists to effectively report on climate change and environmental issues, with a focus on deepening public understanding and raising awareness about the critical need for environmental conservation. Through informed and comprehensive reporting, the media can play a crucial role in driving change and fostering sustainable practices in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
Read the original article on The Namibian
