Environmental governance can be understood as a conglomeration of different mechanisms and systems which promotes environment conservation through an array of rules and regulations with emphasis on participation of multiple stakeholders like implementing and policy making agencies.
Climate change issues are important and relevant enough to justify publication by media; they must be told in engaging fashion. A number of Governments in developing countries are engaged in awareness-raising among their population. Taking action to minimize the damaging effects of climate change is the responsibility of many stakeholders: Governments, scientists, media organizations, development partners, and indeed the general public. Given the power of modern-day media, it is essential that media outlets are encouraged and empowered to tell personal stories about the effects of climate change. The media’s support in educating the public about climate change will ensure that those who are most vulnerable to its impacts – notably the rural poor – fully understand the effects on their lives and their futures, which will in turn help to sow the seeds of grass-roots action. Media reporting on climate change should give a voice to the poor who are the most affected by environmental degradation.
Climate change is poorly covered by local media, and consequently the general public lacks understanding of both the science and the policy implications of climate change. Rural communities, which are particularly vulnerable, are often the least informed.
How can the media in the local areas become more active in educating the public about climate change and helping to shape public policy? In local areas most journalists are generalists, and have little training in science or the environment – particularly specialist areas such as climate change. Hence, many journalists are uncomfortable covering climate change and its related issues. Training is expensive, and most media organizations either lack the funds or are otherwise unwilling to fund their journalists in attending specialized courses.
One solution could be that the Governments and private media organizations forge partnerships in order to jointly fund the training of journalists and editors.
Thus, the Government could pay media organizations, out of this budget allocation, to publish or broadcast user-friendly, climate change-related articles and stories as documentaries, public service announcements or infomercials. Another option could be for donors and development partners that are supporting climate change programmes in local areas to reallocate some budget for public awareness campaigns. Apart from this in order to develop capacity building programme, the Government of Odisha should provide fellowship programme to journalists and editors who are interested for studying the climate change. An orientation programme should be conducted to sensitize people on climate change with the collaboration of the Environment Ministry, Panchayati Raj Ministry, university, college teachers and NGOs. With scientists, policy makers could also work with local editors, local actors and artists to disseminate climate change articles and information using grassroots approaches.
One measure that could do wonders is to use a vernacular radio service. Studies indicate that radio broadcasts are effective in reaching local communities with targeted messages. The use of dramas, talk shows, stories, and other media tools can play a crucial role in public awareness campaigns. Through sharing stories of changing water availability, disappearing forests, and other environmental challenges, communities can be inspired to take action against the impacts of climate change.
Local media has in-depth knowledge of local areas and ability to unite and lead people to make the changes needed in response to climate change for protecting the interests to promote and synergize the concepts of people’s participation and environmental governance to foster environmental sustainability.