Media practitioners have been tasked to show interest in climate change because of its importance in every facet of our lives. This charge was made to participants at the webinar hosted by Nestle Nigeria and Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre (LBSSC). The webinar was themed ‘Climate Change Implications for Food and Nutrition Outcomes: The Role of the Media’. The webinar was held on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
The conversation harped on the role of media professionals in putting out relatable words and content that enlightens the public on the effects of climate change which is disrupting delicate food systems, and food value chains, thereby jeopardising the availability of food, health, and well-being of people and livelihoods across the continent and the globe at large.
Media professionals were tasked to show interest in climate change because it is changing every facet of our lives; how we live, work, and play, redefining our entire life trajectories. “The media must create stories that are accurate and appealing to prompt required action and inspire change. In doing so, the media must convey information that is accessible, simulatable, simplified, and resonating to catch the attention of amplifiers and investors who are interested in climate change solutions.
It was also noted that partnerships and collaborations between the government, private sector, nonprofits, and the media were important in giving the media a shot in the arm to convey stories, news, and content around the effects of climate change on food and nutrition outcomes in an unbiased manner.
Speakers noted that broader partnerships with NGOs and Development Institutions that have done a good job in pushing the climate change narrative should be encouraged and pursued. “We need to do more with respect to partnerships in creating a bridge between the media and the private sector in key areas such as energy transitions to promote awareness and actionable steps for speedy progress”, citing the example of airlines and hotels who are increasingly pursuing sustainability goals and energy transitions, thus, making media professionals become more interested in creating stories around climate change in ways that are creative enough to grab the attention of stakeholders and the public at large.
The webinar showed a correlation between the outcomes of climate change and how it affects the local communities to help people adjust to how they live, what they eat, and the deliberate efforts they make in infusing sustainability into their everyday choices. “There have to be conscious campaigns to help spur this. In Nigeria, many young children now understand weather is currently more adverse due to increased awareness based on localised content they can relate with and these are the little steps we need to take.”
Media practitioners were also encouraged to make transition stories and provide recommendations and solutions in their stories. These stories should also convey outcomes based on goals and actions taken. Stories should be told with nuances or should be very nuanced. They should be creative, intentional, factual, engaging, and infused with a call to action. Most importantly, stories written from a solutions journalism angle in the form of podcasts, short videos, and others that focus on local content in Africa should be prioritised.
In summary, it was explained that a lot of advocacy on climate change needs to be done and this is where the media comes in, to help in pushing advocacy to forge policies that will help us rein in climate change effects on food security and nutrition.
Journalists were advised to conduct researches from established sources such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or from reputable scientists, and then go on to tailor media information that is simplified, accessible, stimulatable, accurate, far-reaching, resonating and appealing enough to convey the needed change and prompt required action desired from the public.
The media has to go over and above in exploring creative avenues to create awareness and prompt desired action on climate change and its effects on food and nutrition outcomes. Some of these creative ideas include partnering with Nollywood to put out a film on climate change; partnering with key stakeholders, states and government parastatals who have the means and policy instruments to influence social behaviour and enforce compliance.
Speakers noted that policy and intervention play a key role in climate change solutions as it affects food security and nutrition. Government policies around climate change should be agile and proactive and not reactive. These policies must identify the challenges, must be forward thinking and most importantly, they must be implementable.
In conclusion, the media has a role in making the government and society take actionable steps towards addressing and curbing the effects of climate change on food and nutrition outcomes for sustainable health and well-being of all.
