Journalists urged to simplify, heighten climate reporting as Africa Climate Summit approaches

As the clock ticks down on an intervention to prepare African journalists to cover the upcoming Climate event, Africa's climate stakeholders and media partners are working hard to see an improvement in reporting African climate stories.

Climate journalism training in Africa has brought together journalists from over 30 countries in a training event being held in Kenya's Machakos county.

Mohamed Ali, Kenya's climate envoy, reminded reporters of their responsibility to analyze reports and check their contexts as they examine all existing funding arrangements and what the fundings have accomplished.

In his speech, Ali also asked journalists to play a role in sensitization through benefit information that cultivates transformation, saying, "We are so hungry as a continent." Malnourishment and stunted growth are common among our populations, despite the fact that Africa has 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land. What is preventing us from utilizing this valuable resource?" Ali posed.

According to Fadhel Kaboub, associate professor of economics at Denison University, Africa has the most fertile land on the planet, but it imports 85% of its food.

"This is part of a global system designed to destroy our food sovereignty and security to make us food dependent.If Africa does not design a long-term and coherent vision that repositions itself in the global space, for the next 100 years,,the continent will continue to be part of someone else's vision."he said.

Mr.Mohammed Adow, the director of Power Shift Africa, asked the reporters to read more so that they could dissect climate terminologies for a wide range of audiences.

"This also allows you to avoid buzzwords in climate reporting.Where they feature,you are better able to explain these buzzwords.journalists get it wrong when they focus on meso-level of impact in their climate reporting or leave scientists to tell the story,'' he challenged.

Reporters in the meeting were reminded of ambiguity in story telling. 

"It is easier for people to read stories about people they know about,events they are familiar with and experiences they have gone through.Taking this approach on climate change reporting would get the audience more engaged,"said Victor Bwire, the programs manager Media Council of Kenya

Journalists should localize climate stories by engaging with communities directly, according to Daniel Aghan, Chief Executive Officer:Media for Environment, Science, Health, and Agriculture (MESHA).

"It is high time that journalists step down climate change stories,put a cross that which vulnerable communities can reason with,give voice to those who matter in climate crisis. "he emphasized.

All efforts are focused on ACS and ACW, as well as the 28th Conference of Parties on Climate Change in Dubai later this year.

The African Climate Summit (ACS) is a first-of-its-kind event in climate change discourse, bringing African heads of state together for a pre-COP closure.

The two-day event will see heads of state develop a common position on adaptation and resilience, renewable energy and sustainable development, and financing for climate action on the African continent, among other topics.

This, even as the African Climate Week (ACW) will bring together other climate change stakeholders, including government representatives, scholars, civil societies, and other players to deliberate and find possible grounding for Africa in regards to the climate change crisis before flying the African continent flag to the United Arab Emirates (UAE),Dubai in November for a global engagement on climate change.

The Government of Kenya is concurrently co-hosting both the ACS and ACW with the African Union Commission (AUC).