A climatologist and Assistant Director of the African Climate Reporters (ACR) Dr. Piman Hoffman has called on online and offline media organizations to prioritize environmental journalism.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna, Hoffman decried the insufficient commitment from some African media outlets to assign reporters who specialize in covering science, environmental issues, and climate change.
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.
“It’s vital for every media organization in Africa to employ journalists trained in environmental reporting,” he said.
“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.”
He also pointed out that the lack of environmental journalists in Africa is a growing threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.
“The scarcity of reporters focused on science and environmental issues puts both wildlife and our forests at risk.
“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,” he explained.
He emphasized that environmental journalists have the power to inspire change by informing the public about how their actions impact the planet and 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.
This year’s World Radio Day is particularly significant, given the focus on climate change.
He noted that radio plays a central role in educating global audiences and providing a platform for local voices affected by climate issues.
“Listeners often hold valuable knowledge about the effects of climate change, such as pollution from industrial sites or food shortages caused by climate impacts. Their stories can help influence decision-makers and businesses to take action,” he said.
Local radio stations, he added, are uniquely positioned to address community-specific environmental challenges by airing programs and interviews that reflect real-world problems and potential solutions.
Hoffman 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 therefore 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.
