Reporting Climate Change in Africa

Wits Centre for Journalism

February 21, 2025

Duncan Mboyah

Introduction to Climate Change

• The Eastern Africa’s reliance on crop farming, livestock keeping, forestry, water and biodiversity and tourism are threatened by climate change.
• Scientists and government agencies have reported temperature increases in the region.
• We have also witness crop failures and livestock deaths to a rate that has never been seen before that is attributed to lack of rainfall.
• According to climate change experts, all these are attributed to human activities, especially fossil fuel burning.
• In the end, we see;
• High susceptibility to droughts, floods, and extreme weather.
• Economic Strain
• Health Risks
• Extinction of species

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What is the role of the media on the effects of climate change in the continent? �

• Tell stories in a simple language - use human stories and strong visuals
• Watchdog – follow events and money allocated for Climate Change
• Educate the masses on causes, impacts
• Policy – Ensure policy makers develop required policies

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What roles can media play in responses climate change?�

• Read research around climate change - Follow climate change meetings – UNFCCC, AGNES
• Report on climate change – reserve space, airtime
• Engage climate change experts
• Tell simplified stories

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Which population groups are most affected by climate change?

• It affects both populations
• But the younger generation are most affected – bleak future – depleted natural resources – water sources, biodiversity, forest cover

Why is climate change a difficult subject matter for beginners? �

• Climate research is full of complex jargon
• Confusing terminologies – carbon footprint, carbon trading
• Complex Global debates – UNFCCC, Pre-SB 62 Strategy Meeting & ANPCC Bureau Meeting (climate finance, agriculture, gender, and human mobility in the context of climate change)
• Conflicting narratives – Misinformation
• Lack of journalism training curriculums on the subject

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What are the trends in climate reporting? �

• Journalists wait for dockets – booked events
• Journalists report what they are told and often times do not ask questions
• Journalists fail to do follow up stories
• Experts set the agenda
• Stories around Climate Change are increasing in both print and broadcast media
• Climate change research are mainly found on social media, Linkedin

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What do journalists require to tell the story well?�

• Interest in telling climate change stories
• Develop pitches to their editors
• Conducive newsrooms
• Climate change sources - experts/CSOs/NGOs/Farmers
• Platforms to tell the stories

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What role(s) can African media play in responding to the climate challenge?

• Embrace solution Journalism - encourage sustainable practices through impactful stories
• Educate populations - causes, impacts, and solutions – using pictures and visuals
• Counter Misinformation - provide factual, science-based information
• Hold political leaders and governments accountable
• Tell more stories on adaptation projects and sustainable practices

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What needs to happen or change to address the inadequacies in Africa media response to climate change?�

• Create Science desks – assign climate change reporters
• Develop capacity for Journalists – workshops etc
• Capture voices of the affected populations – farmers
• Create space/segments/programs

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Conclusion�

• Read, Read, Read - Stay informed on climate science
• Humanise stories – Less jargons, let’s stop blaming scientists
• Use credible sources – several sources – “the more the merrier”
• Pitch story ideas to editors – Guarantee stories “lifeline”
• Join associations

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Email – mboyahdr@gmail.com

Phone - +254734232316/+254724232316