3.5 billion people are already highly vulnerable to climate impacts, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Half the world’s population suffers severe water shortages at some point each year. One in three people are exposed to deadly heat stress. Half a million more people are at risk of serious flooding every year. Rising temperatures and rainfall are increasing the spread of diseases in people, such as dengue fever, and in crops, livestock and wildlife.
The media, with its reach and influence, has a critical role to play in bridging the gap between individuals on the frontlines, already dealing with climate impacts, and national and global policymakers with the power to support them meaningfully. Equally, local actors need to be informed of national and global support for their adaptation efforts. The media can also help cross-fertilize locally-led adaptation solutions between communities across the world who face the same climate threats.
This training opportunity offered 12 multimedia journalists a chance to deepen their understanding of the impacts of climate change on the lives of people, and why local leadership is key to developing responses. It helped them learn how to report these stories in ways that are impactful.
The training included presentations from Prof. Saleemul Huq, Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and P. Sainath, Founding Editor of the People’s Archive of Rural India.