Transcript 4_session_Claudie_Iikela_Namibiax

REPORTING ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Challenges for African Public Service Broadcasters
September 2009
CLAUDIE IIKELA
CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA
Situation analysis
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Climate change is one of the main threats to sustainable
development
It impacts on economy, health, food security
In some African countries it has resulted in tribal
conflicts and even civil wars
Rising sea levels, droughts and floods have become
synonymous with Africa
No formal reliable systems are in place to help educate
our citizens to adopt to the changing environment
CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA
Role of PSB
To educate the public on the impact their actions
have on the environment
 To inform on sustainable use of natural recourses
 To give them the necessary information that can
help them adapt to the changed environment.
 To interpret pre warning climate data in a language
they understand to be better prepared.
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THE NAMIBIAN CASE STUDY
1.
Geographical location
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A vast sparsely populated country
825 thousand km2
The oldest desert in the world , the Namib
stretches along the whole western coast.
The Kalahari desert runs along the south
eastern border with Botswana
THE NAMIBIAN CASE STUDY
2.
Weather pattern
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Very hot , and for the most part very dry
Rain falls during the summer months ( Nov to Feb)
Insignificant winter showers may result in
occasional snowfall in the south.
In general the rain falls are extremely unreliable
Desertification is the biggest environmental threat
THE NAMIBIAN CASE STUDY
3.
Rainfall Variability
THE NAMIBIAN CASE STUDY
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Temperatures & rainfall average
THE NAMIBIAN CASE STUDY
Population
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2 million ( 2004 census)
Namibia still a rural society
Only 33% of the population live in urban
areas
Total adult literacy rate is 88%
CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING
1.
The NBC
A single television channel mainly broadcasting in
English
 Radio has ten stations broadcasting in 10 main
local languages. ( Namibia has more than 100
languages/dialects )
 TV has 2 indigenous bulletins every day.
 Our weather report is prepared by the met office.
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CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING
2.
Challenges
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No readily available data and weather information
No specialized weather and environmental reporters
to interpret climate data
Diversified audience
English terms v/s indigenous ones
Even recourse persons are hard to find.
Ignorance and negative attitude towards climate
change. ( a foreign /European problem)
Poverty : people worry more about where to get their
next meal.
CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING
Challenges cont…
The ability of reporters to break down climate
change information to the level of a lay man.
 Our reports are more on facts and fail to highlight
the causes and prevention of the problem
 Limited network coverage : not able to reach all
 Lack of basic facilities in rural areas to receive our
signal
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CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING
Way forward
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Training of reporters to interpret weather data into
simple language, useful to the viewer.
Have access to important information for early
warning system
Improve on regional integrated information systems
Introduce regular programs on climate change
Awareness campaigns through radio and television
Improve on weather reporting