CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION..

Communication, Climate Change and  Media. 

In the day to day lives of human beings, communication stands out as a very important aspect. 

Communication, is the exchange of information through different modes and means, including but not limited to writing and speaking.

Whereas communication is key, in the climate change scene, media and communication has not taken root as it should. Seeing as communication proves to be an important aspect when conveying information, the same should be improved with regards to Climate Change.

What role is played by the media and communication specialists with regard to Climate Change? They act as a bridge between the communities and climate change practitioners. 

Even more importantly, the communicators and media actors should help, and are in a position to assist in breaking down complex information to understandable information. Because of this, media and communication specialists should not only be a means to the end, but should actually be part of the discussions. 

Bringing media personalities and communicators into the climate change and policy practitioners’ space can be the best way to improve their understanding on the same. An in-depth understanding equates to informed communication. 

The media and communicators are also better placed to tell community climate change stories, and not only pass information to them, due to their vast interactions with communities.

 In the presence of a link between the community and climate change practitioners, there can be a improved understanding between different actors and parties, which can in turn translate to Climate Action.

How should we communicate Climate Change?

When doing communication, it is important to focus on various aspects in order to ensure effective communication, and understanding of the message being passed.

It is important to understand the audience of focus before having specific messages for the given people. Are they children? Are they the elderly in the society? Do they know about Climate Change? What is their perception about Climate Change? 

From a community development practitioner position or a climate change practitioner, clear understanding of the audience you are to deal with defines to a great extent the type of output you should have and the best means to employ. 

When doing Climate Change Communication, after understanding the demographic of focus, it is key to ensure that you tap into the beliefs of the people, and touch on aspects that will bring about social and behavioral change. Climate change is not only an environmental issue. While communication the same, the information passed should include different aspects of life so that the community can better relate to climate change and be willing to take up initiatives. 

The information should also include indigenous knowledge perspectives, that can make the given community be and feel as a part of the process, and have power to actually act on climate change.