BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kaduna
A climatologist and Assistant Director of the African Climate Reporters (ACR) Dr. Piman Hoffman has urged journalists and media organizations to prioritize science and environmental journalism.
Hoffman in a statement on Wednesday, raised concern over negligence of environmental reporting by journalists and media organizations.
He emphasized that 2025 is a crucial year for tackling climate change.
According to the Paris Agreement, if global warming is to be limited, it requires collective action from all sectors, including media.
This year’s World Radio Day will focus on the theme ‘Radio and Climate Change’ underscoring the importance of radio in raising awareness about environmental issues.
He said, “it is vital for every media organization in Africa to employ journalists trained in environmental reporting”.
“This will help support governments, environmental NGOs, and international organizations in educating the public on environmental challenges and the urgent need to address global warming”.
“The scarcity of reporters focused on science and environmental issues puts both wildlife and our forests at risk,” he warned.
“Environmental journalists play a key role in raising awareness about critical issues such as population growth, sustainability, energy conservation, global warming, climate change, and air pollution. They also help to highlight the destruction of rainforests, toxic waste accumulation, waste disposal challenges, and the overall degradation of the environment.
“Every year, millions die due to pollution, zoonotic diseases, flooding, and other environmental disasters—problems often overlooked because of a shortage of dedicated environmental journalists,” the expert explained.
He noted that journalists have the power to inspire change by informing the public about how their actions impact the planet, encouraging more sustainable behavior for the benefit of all.
“We are working to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to combat global warming, deforestation, and environmental degradation,” he added.
The expert also called on media organizations to invest in the training and development of their staff, ensuring they are equipped with the latest tools to report effectively on environmental issues.
He however, urged media organizations across the 55 African nations to build the capacity of young journalists, encouraging them to specialize in environmental reporting and to raise awareness about the critical environmental issues facing the continent, he added.
