Journalists are doing their bit to help mitigate the climate change crisis that is being experienced globally.

RNI reporter Aisha Jamal spoke to journalists who use the media as a tool to educate the public on the hazards of climate change and to inform ordinary people about what they can do to help lessen its gravity.

Abdullahi Mustapha, a journalist in Maiduguri, said it was the duty of all types of media – radio, TV, online and print – to inform the public about climate issues. 

“People need to be made more aware of the effects on the environment. Most of climate change is linked to man-made activities, such as pollution and felling trees. We have urged people not to burn rubber tyres and other harmful products during festivities.

“We regularly invite experts to share their knowledge with communities. And we invite the public to engage with them by phoning, sending text messages and partaking in live programmes and debates.

“During the recent Cop 27 summit, which was conducted in English, Arabic and French, we used local languages, such as Kanuri, Hausa Shuwa and Margi, to get the message across and to make people aware of the event and what they could do to fight climate change.”

Habiba Ahmed told RNI that climate education had a huge impact because it made society aware of the grave issues.Maryam Muhammad, a journalist in Sokoto State, said they ran a special programme dedicated to climate and the environment.

“We urge the government and environmental agencies to come up with recommendations that the public could apply. We need authorities to lead the way if we want to help mitigate the climate change crisis.”

AISHA SD JAMAL