Nov. 11 #COP26 Daily Broadcast: Translating global commitments to local solutions
Channel: Earth Journalism Network
Date: 2021-11-11

The theme of the fourth broadcast is Linking Local to Global Policies and Commitments. The speakers were: Imelda Abaño,  Internews Earth Journalism Network Philippines & Pacific Coordinator and CCMP trainer, Elfreda Kevin-Alerechi, Investigative Journalist from Peoples Gazette, Nigeria and Jonathan Lynn, Head Communications and Media Relations, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Abaño, who is an award-winning journalist and the founding President of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, spoke about her experience covering previous COPs. Having co-authored a guideline on climate change for Philippine journalists in 2016, she commented that more journalists are covering climate change and collaborating with scientists and policy makers to increase understanding on local issues and communicate this technical topic to a non-specialist audience. She also opined that since journalists from developing countries are in the front lines of the climate crisis and experiencing its impacts first-hand, their role is to go beyond reporting the issue but also to help influence policy for the well-being of communities and make them more resilient. 

Kevin-Alerechi, who is attending COP for the first time shared how the fellowship is truly opening her eyes not only to developments in Nigeria but also across other African countries. She noted the challenges journalists faced in reaching policymakers and country delegates for interviews, despite growing interest in climate issues among their audiences back home. Her experience in Glasgow has strengthened her resolve to continue asking tough questions to country delegates; holding them accountable for the pledges made at COP26 and to continue covering these debates after the conference ends. The cohort's experiences over the last few days have encouraged them to be more resourceful, Rosli observed. 

Lynn, the head of communications and media relations at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), spoke about the IPCC's role in bringing the latest science on climate change to policymakers. Media interest in IPCC's recently released WG1 report, which sounded a "code red" for humanity, continues to be strong, he noted. With the new focus on regional information and data including the ‘Interactive Atlas’ feature in this year’s report, he hopes that this resource will help journalists to publish more local stories. Lynn encouraged journalists to go beyond the "doom and gloom" of climate impacts, and to report on how communities are coming together to take action and build resilience in the face of these impacts. He also advised journalists to explain abbreviations, scientific concepts and technical terminology to their audiences in ways that are both accessible and engaging.

Join us Nov. 8-13 for daily broadcasts every day at 2PM UK.