On Effective Reporting of Climate Change Adaptation
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Report of the Media Workshop
On Effective Reporting of
Climate Change Adaptation
Training organized by
African Adaptation Programme, which is Funded by Japan Government Through UNDP
and Implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
Conducted by ScienceAfrica
Naivasha, Kenya
21-25, November 2011
AFRICA’S LEADING PUBLICATION ON SCIENCE INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Background and Overview of the workshop .......................................................................................................... 4
Workshop Objectives ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Workshop Methodology .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Keynote Address ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Emerging Issues ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
EFFECTIVE REPORTING OF CLIMATE CHANGE ..................................................................................... 6
Understanding Science Journalism ............................................................................................................................. 6
How to pitch a Story .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
The Basics of a good science news/feature story ................................................................................................. 8
Climate change in the media .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Improving climate change reporting effective peer networking .................................................................... 11
Emerging issues .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS ................................................................... 13
The Reality of Climate Change ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Carbon Trade: Myths & Realities .................................................................................................................................. 15
Emerging issues .................................................................................................................................................................... 15
CLOSING REMARKS ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Otula Owuor: Science Africa ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Ms Aileen Ogolla: AAP ........................................................................................................................................................ 16
APPENDIXES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Workshop Program ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Resource materials ............................................................................................................................................................. 20
Published articles ................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Questionnaires ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Evaluation form ................................................................................................................................................................... 21
List of participants ............................................................................................................................................................. 22
3
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background and Overview of the Workshop
The media training on effective reporting of climate change adaptation was officially opened by Ali Mo-
hammed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources. The workshop was held
at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha, Kenya, from 21-25 November 2011.
The three-day hands-on workshop for middle-level and experienced science reporters and editors was
conducted by Science Africa Ltd and organized by African Adaptation Programme, which is funded by the
Government of Japan, through UNDP Country Office and Implemented by the Ministry of Environment and
Mineral Resources.
Over 30 young and experienced journalists (men and women) with keen interests in environment and
climate change issues attended the workshop. They were drawn from urban and rural-based print and
electronic media from all over the country.
Representatives of the collaborating institutions, climate change and communication’ experts, research-
ers and high-level newspaper, television and radio editors also attended and made relevant presentations
during the training. The training covered the following key areas:
Keynote addresses,
Challenges facing science reporters,
Review of published articles,
Experience-sharing on the best science writing practices,
Understanding of Climate Change
Review of media coverage of Climate Change
How pitch stories to editors,
Interviewing skills and how to relate to scientists,
How to write climate change stories with impact on policy,
Networking skills,
Understanding Carbon Trading, and
Reality of Climate Change
1.2. Workshop Objectives
The overriding objective of the training was to build capacity of the science reporters to understand and
report effectively on Climate Change Adaptation.
The specific objectives are to:
1. Help emerging science journalists and others with interest understand climate change and its
implications for Kenya
2. Improve skills of journalists for coverage of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies
3. Share experiences in covering climate change
4. Identify story ideas on climate change and issues surrounding it
5. Create a pool of journalists dedicated to effective coverage of climate change
4
1.3. Workshop Methodology
The workshop adopted a participatory and experience-sharing approach to learning. Science communica-
tion experts, project leaders, senior editors and climate change adaptation experts gave presentations to
the Journalists followed by open discussions to clarify issues and jargons. The media trainers evaluated
the Journalists through structured questionnaires to gauge their knowledge and understanding of climate
change issues, their levels of interactions with experts in the field and knowledge of institutions leading
efforts towards climate mitigation and adaptation. Group work, role play were used to increase the effec-
tiveness of the workshop. Time, space, computer and internet facilities were provided for the participants
to write articles and scripts based on the presentations by experts in climate change. The stories were
reviewed and improvements suggested. Hence, the journalists wrote articles and or produced radio and
TV news clips based on presentations and direct interviews with presenters and official guests.
The participants were also provided with various relevant background materials on climate change (see
appendices section for details). The evaluation report shows that most participants were certified with
the workshop. Even so majority felt that more experts should have been invited to talk about climate
change. A significant number also said the time allocated for the workshop was not enough as additional
time was needed to accommodate a field excursion.
1.4. Recommendations
The following were the key recommendations made by the participants.
1. Strengthen rapport and trust between journalists and scientists through joint trainings.
2. Support activities of existing and emerging national, regional and country or local Media Networks
to help in promoting effective and responsible climate change reporting.
3. Future training should last at least five days so that more practical sessions, including field excur-
sions to mitigation and adaptation activity sites can be accommodated.
4. Establish Climate Challenge Media Excellence awards to encourage consistent, accurate and bal-
anced reporting of climate change adaptation.
5. Support/facilitate rural-based media outlets to report more on climate change.
6. There is need for a follow up workshop to be held between nine months to a year later. It will help
review what the team of journalists who attended the Naivasha training had done and contribute
towards sustainability.
2.0. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
2.1. The role of the media in creating awareness on climate change
By Ali Mohamed: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
The PS, who was also the official guest, said that from a climate science perspective, the media is a strategic
partner in the service delivery system, especially in the area of climate information dissemination, warn-
ing, adaptation and mitigation. Climate change is now a development issue and hence the media should
give it necessary attention so that even governments across Africa can take it more seriously than they do
currently. The PS said there is clear linkage between diseases and changes in climate that the media can
5help to highlight for policy makers to take necessary action. Noting that the climate science is still evolv-
ing, Mohamed said such media training should continuous if journalists are to cover the issues effectively
and sustainably. He urged the media to report not only on the global processes aimed at mitigating climate
change but also on adaptation mechanism down to community levels. He gave examples of energy saving
stoves, tree planting and REDD+ activities at a Ranch in Taita, Taveta. Promotion of mitigation and adapta-
tion strategies would help Kenya save its remaining forests and its wetlands currently being encroached
at an alarming rate. He promised the ministry would give support to community radios in the country to
create awareness on climate change and call for action against the causes. The PS said Kenya is advocat-
ing for binding and enforceable international agreements to help minimize the effects of climate change
in Africa, since the country is one of the most vulnerable. In addition, said Kenya’s position is that major
emitters of Green House Gasses should reduce the emissions within a legally binding framework that is
open to internationally recognized verification methods. He urged the media to help the country to push
its position, during the COP 17 meeting in Durban and beyond.
Emerging Issues
During the ensuing discussions the following key issues emerged
There is need for a comprehensive policy to govern Carbon trading in Kenya to cushion poor
communities from exploitation by companies and NGOs involved in the trade
The media should help the government to champion its position on reduction of carbon emis-
sions through a legally binding and fair international protocol.
There are money organizations in the country benefiting from carbon financing without sharing
the benefits with farmers
There should be new additional financing for climate change mitigation in low carbon emitting
countries
3.0. EFFECTIVE REPORTING OF CLIMATE
CHANGE
3.1. Understanding Science Journalism
Facilitated by Otula Owuor, Daniel Otunge and Naftali Mungai: Science Africa
For most African media houses, science reporting is not a daily routine because most reporters and edi-
tors do not understand it, they noted. Unlike politics, business and sports, science reporting is generally
placed on the fringes of mainstream journalism. Various deep-rooted factors tend to keep science at the
bottom of news reporting. It begins with journalism schools that traditionally avoided admitting students
with science backgrounds or strong interest in science reporting, preferring those excelling in languages,
humanities, and social sciences. “The courses offered hardly mentioned the coverage of science, he said.”
This means that the coverage of science is yet to be integrated into the core or the basics of overall jour-
nalism training. Media houses seldom give those who are chosen to learn the art of reporting in-house or
given on- the- job training are not introduced into the world of science journalism. Hence, science report-
ing in Africa has been largely and individual’s effort.
Even so, over the years there have been some positive changes. These included giving experts space op-
portunity to answer specific questions and focus on common or unique challenges facing society. Edi-
tors and reporters should therefore rethink their stand against science journalism, arguing that science,
technology and innovation are critical to global affairs and development. There are also challenges posed
by an increasingly enlightened audience –including policy makers and scientists - in the need of credible,
interesting and well-researched stories with updated facts and data to inform and educate appropriately.
6Some of the most difficult challenges facing science reporters are linked to stereotypes and myths – associ-
ated with the work of journalists and scientists - that have yet to be overcome. It is still assumed that when
dealing with serious academic, professional and research issues such as climate change, scientists have
their own communication outlets, especially peer-reviewed journals that are inaccessible to the general
public. Some scientists still feel that they have no business dealing with the mass media as an important
outlet. Therefore, science writers are left to depend on journals as sources of information important to the
public.
It is a major professional challenge for even those with the best mass communication skills when one is to
reduce piles of jargon and statistics into short, simple and clear message sentences and paragraphs which,
for example, reduce 15-page research paper into quarter page news story.
When journalists push for timeliness and proximity, researchers feel harassed and pushed beyond ethical
limits. However, there are emerging trends brought about by issues of accountability and transparency
whereby scientists who conduct research using public resources are expected to inform the public regular
about what they are doing with their money. This explains why the mass media today has better access to
stories about the initiation of research, the aims, possible results and impacts.
However, science reporters in Africa are well-placed to generate stories with impact because it is a region
where the role of science and technology can be easily linked to solving various devastating problems,
such as diseases, food shortages, poor housing, lack of clean water, power or energy shortages, poor sani-
tation, and decaying transport and communication infrastructure. Science journalism in Africa is still seen
as journalism of basic human needs. It is interwoven with basic human needs and rights and is well placed
to positively or negatively initiate positive changes in policy including budget allocations. Science writers
are best placed to expose the availability or unavailability of important services needed for survival and
development. To cope with what may seem as insurmountable challenges, even skilled science reporters
first need to develop at least some strong interest in the coverage of science issues, like climate change
adaptation. They also need to believe that they have a professional, ethical and social responsibility to ef-
fectively cover various aspects of modern biotechnology.
One of the professional challenges facing science writers is linked to ‘balancing’ stories that may be scien-
tifically deficient. He argues that one does not always balance science stories the way political writers do
by simply getting opponents’ views that may be based on propaganda. He emphasized that when sources
seem blindly opposed to some scientific products, services and research activities without credible proof
or explanation they often resort to propaganda that the media is expected to carry as facts in ‘balanced’
stories. This is particularly common when dealing with controversial subjects like modern biotechnology,
climate change and HIV/AIDS.
Thus apart from handling various science stories, there is also need to specialize and cope with rapid
changes in the world of science and technology.
3.2. How to pitch a Story
To enable participants to understand how to pitch stories, they were divided into six groups and each
group was asked to appoint two reporters and an editor. The reporters were instructed to come up with
story ideas on climate change and sell them to the editors. During the discussions the participants learnt
that any journalist who wants to sell a story must first make sure that the story is sellable, readable and
useful to audiences. Good reporting means the reporters must understand the issues then use that back-
ground to report effectively. People need information they can use readily,” it was explained. Packaging of
the stories is also another weakness that needed to be addressed. It emerged that no editor will publish a
story that is poorly written, incomplete, defamatory and factually incorrect.
7The following elements of effective story selling strategies were identified:
Newsworthiness the story
Human interest
Briefing the editor before embarking on a story
Good background research is vital
Good writing skills
Some of the reasons why editors reject stories were:
Low rating of science stories compared to other stories
Lack of broad appeal to target audience
Lack of importance
Lack of fresh angle
Lack of relevance
Too scientific a story
Low understanding and appreciation of science among readers
Misrepresentation of facts
Poorly written, dull story
3.3. The Basics of a good science news/feature story
Science stories can be made interesting through intelligent and creative angling. For instance, climate
change stories can be given business, political, health, agriculture, energy and human interest angles,
among others. Science journalists should be prepared to generate stories that are informative, timely,
interesting, credible, effective and with appropriate background information.
A good science journalist needs to have a list of story ideas or issues to cover without waiting for the usual
assignments from the news desks. It is important for one to try and run a series of stories when dealing
with important issues like climate change as this creates impact. A science writer needs to follow up is-
sues. The tendency to forget to update issues is a widespread weakness. Participants also got tips on good
science writing.
It was noted that an effective science journalists must be:
knowledgeable in the field of specialization
Conversant with policies and international scientific instruments governing that field
skilled writer
committed to ethics of good journalism
trust worthy,
confident
competent
dynamic
credible
8 professional
ready to go the field to get the story
well exposed to the scientific world
in close contact with the scientists
The following are some of the characteristics of a good science news/feature story.
Topical
Credible
Correct in usage of minimal or very few scientific terminologies if really needed.
Simple, clear but not simplistic
interesting/entertaining/ Have Proximity
Informative and Educates
Factual/ Accurate/ element of science or proven knowledge
Include socio-economic, political cultural perspectives
free of exaggeration/sensation
field-based not desk-based
newsworthy
morally and ethically correct
Reflect Role of media as the people’s watchdog
The following story ideas were identified
1. Carbon trading (REDD+ projects, CDM projects, carbon financing global negotiation, etc)
2. Communities innovative and traditional ways of coping with climate change
3. Role of NEMA as Designated National Authority on Climate Change
4. Government policy on carbon trading
5. International protocols on climate change
6. Budget allocation to key climate change institutions such as NEMA, KMD, MEMR and what they
are doing with it
7. International sources of climate financing/budgets and who benefits
8. Role of Private sector in climate change mitigation and adaptation
9. Updates on Mau Forest rehabilitation as the main water tower, tree species being planted
10. Impacts of climate change on water, forests, agriculture, energy, health, education, security, riv-
ers, mountains, lakes, oceans, migration, food security, urbanization etc
11. Historical rainfall and temperature changes
12. Role of Gene back in the climate change debate
13. Role of modern seeds in reducing impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity
14. Biotechnology and climate change
93.4. Climate Change Adaptation in the Media
The discussion was particularly lead by Ms Rose Lukalo Owino, a media consultant. In her presentation
she said, most media stories about climate change less appealing to readers because they are based on
doom, misery and fear. People However, journalists can climate change articles interesting by making the
relevant and current, focusing on Kenya’s responses to climate change, telling people’s attitudes towards
climate change and breaking down issues thematically. Profiles of climate change warriors (people do-
ing something against it) and the business of climate change can also make interest reading, Lukalo said.
Climate change reporting is quite challenging to most journalists because the subject is technical, boring
if not handled properly and much of the information on the subject are projections. She listed various
sources of climate change information suchlike:
Conferences,
Reports,
Communities (e.g. women who are the most affected)
News sources (journals, mass media etc)
Experts,
UN agencies,
Universities,
Research institutions,
Government departments
Internet,
Climate panels, among others
On how to generate stories that have impact on policy, Lukalo started by outlining the traditional roles of
the media, which are to inform, educate and entertain. She said that the media today must go beyond the
three traditional roles to embrace strategic functions like advocacy and mobilization of the population for
a worthy course, such creating positive awareness on climate change, its impacts, and adaptation and miti-
gation strategies. He said the media cannot impact policy formulation if they stuck to their traditional text
book roles. Traditionally the media’s impact on policy-making has been via news, features and editorials,
opinion and commentaries that expose, criticize and demand governments’ action and official positions
on critical national and international issues such as climate change.
The conventional meaning of Policy is that it is the way or approach, methods and means by which a public
or a private entity handles specific issues they are responsible for as per their mandate[s]. Therefore, she
said, a policy presents the intention, vision, mission and objectives of that entity on a certain matter. The
concept of policy also takes into account the modus operandi—the ways and means; the authority, respon-
sibility, resources and timeframe within which a particular issue has to be dealt with. Policies are flexible,
time-bound and normally a guiding framework with which to manage an issue. Policy-making therefore
simply means initiating, formulating and instituting a set of regulations and frameworks that govern han-
dling or approaches to a critical issue of national, regional or/and international importance, like climate
change and issues surrounding it such as carbon emissions and trading.
Media exposure of issues such has been known to elicit government reaction, leading to promulgation of
policy where applicable. Lukalo said this can be done through a photograph, audio, video or print articles.
She gave an example the impact the Late Mohammed Amin’s photos of the effect on policy famine in Ethio-
pia had on the Ethiopian government and the rest of the world. Amin’s exposure of human suffering due
to effects of drought powerfully influenced policy-makers, international relief agencies and civil society to
take immediate remedial action.
10In the case of climate change, she said the media should look into issues such as impacts on key sectors of
the economy such as agriculture, energy, education, health, infrastructure and security. They should also
focus on climate change negotiations, carbon emissions, carbon markets, carbon trading in Africa, mitiga-
tion strategies, among others.
She noted that for the media to succeed in influencing policy, the journalists must first understand and
appreciate that climate change is really and has immediate consequences on people’s lives, especially in
Africa.
3.5. Improving climate change reporting effective peer networking
The discussion was facilitated by Mr. Daniel Aghan, who is the secretary of MESHA (the Media
for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture). The objective of this presentation was to remind
participants of the need to work together for sustainable and effective reporting of climate change. Aghan
started by practically demonstrating how a network works using a string. Participants were asked to form
a circle and hold hands. The string was given to one of the participant to throw to another participant who
in turn was to do the same while holding on to the string. The string went round until it formed a web-like
structure with Aghan relating the formation to a network.
He said networks are made up of similar organizations and likeminded individuals that meet regularly to
discuss matters of professional growth and personal interest. These organizations or individuals of what-
ever number do not compete, they cooperate to advance their mutual interests like improving reporting
skills on challenging subjects like modern biotechnology, Aghan said. Group members may have a focal
point to converge or serve as an information resource. Networks usually create public space for a dialogue
to begin within the development community on the effectiveness of networks for international develop-
ment.
He said networking is making links from people we know to people they know, in an organized way, for a
specific purpose, while remaining committed to doing our part, expecting nothing in return. A professional
network consists of any group of individuals or organizations who actively and consistently exchange
information or undertake joint activities around a central theme and organize themselves in such a way
that their individual autonomy remains intact. Professional networks bring together or link people
working at the same level (e.g. researchers or developers), or people of different levels (e.g. researchers
and extensionists), individuals, organizations (institutions, NGOs, etc.) or a mixture of them.
Networks may serve as conduits for learning new ideas about the environment and climate change, he
noted, adding that they are more of learning organizations where people continually expand their capacity
to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where
collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to learn together. The activities of
Networks should be interesting and beneficial to members. They normally include the following: exchange
activities such as mail, workshops, visits, joint active assignments, etc; and production and dissemination
activities such as newsletter, publications and training.
Mr Aghan told the participants that networks are created for a variety of purposes and embodies a variety
of structures, depending on what is perceived to be the optimal way to achieve a certain goal, the structure
of a network varies. He said networks are more than just a resource centre for its members – There is a
great deal of variation in terms of expected member contribution and benefits. Though knowledge and
information sharing are important activities of most networks, the core of the network is the relationships
among its members.
11Ten Commandments for Networks
He outlined the ten commandments of networking as follows:
1 Blueprint Your Life! First, define your purpose. Decide what you want.
2 Accept Responsibility! Be accountable to yourself for the choices you make
3 Be Coachable! Listen for and be open to new ideas
4 Show Up! Be at places that count.
5 Be Yourself! Demonstrate your own authenticity. Be real.
6 Pay attention! Look for opportunity! Talk 20% of the time! Listen 80% of the time!
7 Contribute! - Be the solution!
8 Ask For What You Want! - Tell people what you need. They can’t read your mind.
9 Say “Thank You!” - Express appreciation.
10 Stay Connected! - Be in touch!
Networks seek to build the capacity of members and other stakeholders. In this realm, network members
need to “dare to share” (i.e., be confident enough in their work that they are willing to share it with oth-
ers). This sharing can be facilitated by the creation of an open environment in which people are willing to
analyze and learn from both successes and mistakes.
Emerging issues
Despite the increasing realization by media houses that there is need to improve the quality and
quantity of science coverage, science writers have to be more competitive and innovative in the
gathering and packaging of their stories in an environment that seems to regard them as outsiders.
Science stories have to compete for space and airtime against others from the world of business,
art, music, sports, politics, education, conflicts, crime and accidents. In cases, for example, where
a media house has a weekly science page or programme, there is need for integrating science into
every section of the newspaper apart from being included in the news editor’s list of the daily
items. Issues on diet and athletics or a focus on various aspects of sports medicine could appear in
the sports pages. A science writer could, for example, target the features section with a profile of a
leading scientist thus creating room to highlight important science activities linked to the expert.
To survive in newsrooms one has to come up with innovative strategies of making science stories
earn space and airtime.
It is very difficult for an editor to spike a story simply because it is scientific. Stories will be pub-
lished on merit. When reporting, think of the news value not the science. It is the news value (im-
pacts, effects, human interest, proximity, prominence, etc) that should guide the reporter and the
editor as well. Get different angles from a story. Leave no stone unturned and upturn all turned
stones.
There is need for participants at the workshop should form an informal online network for com-
paring notes on climate change reporting
124.0. UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE
AND ITS IMPACTS
4.1. The Reality of Climate Change
Dr Samwel N. Marigi: Senior Assistant Director, Kenya Meteorological Department
Dr Marigi’s presentation centered on the significance of climate change, its climate change science, ob-
served climate change and associated impacts, future change scenarios and concerns, current policy and
strategic interventions in Kenya and the role of KMD. This is a government institution responsible for
providing weather and climate forecasts and warnings for the safety of life, protection of property and the
natural environment as an input to the socio-economic development of the country. Key functions of KMD
include climate change detection, monitoring, prediction and early warning. Dr Marigi said addressing
climate change requires a multidisciplinary approach at all levels from national, regional and global. The
Department plays significant roles in the region in terms of climate data management (collection, moni-
toring and archival), climate risk assessment, development of early warnings and capacity building.
He said that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed beyond reasonable
doubt that Climate Change is a reality and no longer a speculation and that the global warming is due to
human (anthropogenic) activities. This conclusion is grounded on decades of scientific analyzes of data
from systematic observations by a network of meteorological stations of member countries of World Me-
teorological Organization (WMO)
The global warming is causing glaciers to melt faster than predicted, surface levels of seas to rise sharply,
storms and drought to become more intense, disease pandemics to increase and the rate of desertification
to increase. He said this scenario could trigger mass migration of climate refugees within their countries
and across trans-boundary borders, a situation likely to cause conflicts. He explained how the climate sys-
tem (Atmosphere, Hydrosphere; Cryosphere; Biosphere and the Lithosphere) interact to keep the earth in
balance as shown in that figure below.
The Climate System and Interactions
13He explained that excess Greenhouse gases are causing imbalance of the gases in the atmosphere, lead-
ing to warming of the earth as illustrated by the figure below.
The chief greenhouse gases (GHGs) which are responsible for global warming consist of Carbon dioxide
(CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Tropospheric Ozone (O3), and hydro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs).
The principal way in which these gases operate is to prevent the escape of heat initially received from the
sun by the earth’s surface back to space, he explained. Some of the current observed trends and impacts
of climate change in Kenya are:
Temperature rises;
Decreasing rainfall trends;
Melting and retreat of mountain glaciers;
increasing frequency of ENSO events (extreme climate events) in particular drought, siltation
and floods
Spread of diseases ( e.g. malaria and Rift Valley Fever) to non-prevalence
The 1997/8 El Niño caused extensive floods damage to property (houses, roads, bridges and
crops)
Drying of rivers and lakes (e.g. Lake Nakuru and Lake Baringo) among others
Reduction in agricultural productivity
The government, he said, has come up with various policy and strategic interventions, including the
signing and ratifying of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
the Kyoto protocol; enactment of The Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) of
1999; the establishment National Environment Management Authority (NEMA); and development
and implementation of National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS).
144.2. Carbon Trade: Myths & Realities
Tom Owino Oduol: Technical Director, Carbon Care Ltd
The main objective of this presentation was to enable participants to understand issues climate change
and issues surrounding it such as international negotiations and carbon trading. Mr. Odual defined climate
change as changes in average temperature over time. He said the rise has many negative effects on the en-
vironment and human life on earth. The global community is embroiled in on-going negotiations through
the UN system aimed at finding legally binding and lasting solutions to mitigate climate change. He gave
the seven-year Kyoto Protocol which came up with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Under this
mechanism Emission reduction projects in developing countries are to earn CER (Carbon Emission Reduc-
tion) credits which can be traded and sold, and used by developed countries to meet a part of their emis-
sion reduction targets. The objectives of CDM, he said, are to Mitigate climate change through GHG (CO2,
CH4, N2O, HFC, PFC, SF6) emission reduction and stimulate sustainable development in host/developing
countries. He said CDM operates under additionality principle. This means the emission reductions must
be additional to those that would have occurred without the development of the proposed CDM project
activity on a business as usual scenario. The emission reduction must be real, measurable and long term.
The project must also result in sustainable development in the country. He explained that carbon credit
is the difference between emission before and after the project. CDM project must be registered with UN-
FCCC. Allowable Credit Period for CDM projects is seven years with option to renew twice, or ten years
without renewal. Oduol said CERs generated by CDM projects like in Kenya Power and Mumias Sugar are
marketable commodities that can be sold on world market. There are tough rules governing forests since
use of carbon sinks is limited to reforestation and afforestation programmes. The trees once planted must
not be cut down over a period of time. He said REDD+ is a viable carbon trade option for companies and
nature-based organizations like Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). He challenged the media to put the govern-
ment to task on what it is doing to promote benefit-sharing with regards to carbon trading projects. Typi-
cal CDM projects are: Renewable energy (cogeneration, hydro electricity, geothermal energy, solar energy,
wind energy); Energy efficiency (Improved cook stoves and Efficient lighting (CFLs); Methane recovery;
industrial projects and CO2 sink projects (reforestation and afforestation)
Emerging issues
Kenyan communities are being exploited by carbon traders operating in the country. Hence the
government should come up with a policy to regulate their operations and protect the people
from such exploitation.
Media should help the people to understand climate change and issues surrounding it by creat-
ing awareness through accurate and balanced reporting
The benefits of carbon trading activities include foreign exchange earnings, technology transfer,
sustainable productions, environmental protection, efficiency in production and usage of re-
sources and improved returns on investments
Most African governments do not fully understand carbon trading and are therefore by-passed
by savvy organization that go directly to the people under the NGO Act as is the case in Kenya
African voices are underrepresented in international climate change negotiations because repre-
sentatives often abdicate their responsibilities by going for shopping instead of participating in
the hard talks.
Media should also report the challenges faced by Africa in terms of carbon trading mechanisms
not just the hype.
155.0. CLOSING REMARKS VOTE OF THANKS
5.1. Mr Otula Owuor: ScienceAfrica
Thanked the participants for enduring the rigorous program that lasted three days. He paid tribute to
the AAP, Ministry and UNDP teams for envisaging, planning, organizing and managing the workshop. He
praised the presenters for adding value to the participants’ understanding of climate change issues that
will lead to more effective and increased reporting.
He called for a constructive engagement with the media to ensure better communication of emerging
climate change for the benefit of the people of Africa which is most affected by the impacts. The media, he
noted, had a difficult task of balancing business with social responsibility to inform the public responsibly,
objectively, accurately and in a timely manner. He called for closure cooperation between the media and
experts to increase coverage of climate change.
He thanked organizers for giving ScienceAfrica the opportunity to conduct the workshop and called for
more future cooperation.
5.2. Ms. Aileen Ogolla: AAP
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors of the workshop, Ms. Aileen Ogolla, thanked the participants for re-
sponding positively to the call to attend the workshop albeit on a short notice. She said the training work-
shop was a learning experience for all. She reiterated the need for maintaining the network of journalists
and scientists to ensure accurate and sustained media coverage of climate change issues. As indicated by
the PS, MEMR, AAP would look for opportunities to support journalists in their pursuit of excellence in
covering Climate Change issues. She said the Ministry has a lot of relevant and current resources on cli-
mate change that journalists could use as background materials for stories. She thanked ScienceAfrica for
conducting the workshop efficiently to ensure the objectives were met.
5.3 Evaluations
(Questionnaires, Stories and Workshop)
It was noted that 95% of the media houses in Kenya cover climate change adaptation issues while only
5% of the participants said that climate change and adaptation coverage is not applicable in their media
houses. It was also notable that none answered the question… what aspects of climate change adaptation
interest you most? This was an indicator of the need to focus more on climate change adaptation issues.
The highest percentage of participants at 75% said that their media houses cover climate change and ad-
aptation anytime if newsworthy, while 15% of participants cover issues of climate change and adaptation
on a weekly basis and 10% on a monthly basis.
In addition, most of the participants at 85% who were trained said that they report/cover climate change
and adaptation issues while 15% of the participants said they have not covered climate change and ad-
aptation. Thus, one of the aims of the workshop was to quip such participants who have not reported on
climate change and adaptation with skills to report effectively climate change and adaptation issues.
35% of participants described climate change and adaptation as just another issue that media deals with;
while 30% described it as easy and interesting while the rest thought that climate change and adaptation
issues are complex and boring.
Most of the participants at 95% were expected by their media houses to send stories from the workshop
before it ended. A number of participants had interests on climate change and adaptation varying from
16global warming, adaptation & mitigation, carbon trading, rising water levels in the sea, erratic rainfall and
climate change and agriculture.
The questionnaires – administered just before the workshop began- were designed to test the participants’
journalistic skills and knowledge on climate change and its causes and impact. None of them consistently
generate climate change stories on a weekly basis. Nearly 30% of them did not clearly understand the role
of Mau Forest as Kenya’s major water catchment area. However, they expressed willingness to focus more
on issues of climate change and its various impacts after the workshop. Practically all the participants
had heard and have an idea on what climate change is and its impacts, especially in Kenya because of the
severe drought and the related humanitarian crises in Kenya and other Horn of Africa Nations. Nearly 20
percent of those who responded- had very clear understanding of climate change issues.
It was notable that those who excelled in the hands-on exercise to generate climate change stories from
the resource persons were among those who initially felt it was not easy to generate between four to eight
paragraphs stories or scripts. At least two of the most promising journalists in the coverage of climate
change were those from FM stations using local languages or vernacular and Swahili, who had earlier
seemed assumed it was almost impossible because it involved translation (see appendix). The partici-
pants had exchanged their scripts and article to help determine which ones were “good stories” meeting
the basic of 5Ws and H.
In terms of ranking, 94% of participants answered most questions with (4&5) or agree and strongly agree
respectively; this is equated with or same as positive and very positive respectively. However, more than
half felt there was need for a field visit. The facilitators were seen as thorough, well versed and dedicated
to their task with the participants’ expectations being met. The hotel and food was highly ranked despite
and its being in an isolated area was not mentioned in any negative terms.
Conclusion:
As a whole the workshop was successful and already a network is emerging as agreed and journalists are
letting others know about the stories they are generating while others are seeking comments and have
initiated continued links with the facilitators and resource persons..
176.0. APPENDIXES
6.1. Workshop Program
6.2. List of Participants
6.3. Questionnaires
6.4. Resource Materials
6.5. Practical Session- Story Samples
6.6. Impact of Climate Change25 Tips in Reporting Climate Change
6.7. Hot 100’ News Writing Tips (Compiled by Sheryl Swingley)
6.8. Glossary of terms
6.9. Articles
6.10. Evaluation Form
18Sample Scripts/Stories
Habari 1pm
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Naivasha
Kenya in miongoni mwa nchi barani Afrika ambayo imeathirika pakubwa na ongezeko la mabadi-
liko ya hali ya anga baada ya uchafuzi WA hewa na nchi tajiri duniani.
Katibu Wa kudumu katika wizara ya mazingira Ali Mohammed, amesema kongamano itakayo-
fanyika nchini Afrika Kusini wiki ijayo kuhusu mabadiliko ya anga duniani itaipa Kenya fursa ya
kupinga uchafuzi huo na pia kulipwa fidia.
Insert…PS climate change
Mohammed amesema hayo hapo jana baada ya kufungua rasmi warsha ya waandishi WA habari ku-
toka sehemu tofauti humu nchini, wanaopata mafunzo kuhusu mabadiliko ya anga nchini huko mjini
Naivasha. Ends…/Diana
Habari 2pm
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Naivasha
Idara ya utabiri WA hali ya anga humu nchini imesema ina mikakati maalum ya kuweka vituo vya
kupima hali ya anga katika kila kaunti humu nchini.
Naibu mkuu katika idara hiyo Dkt. Samwel Marigi amesema hatua hiyo inanuia kuwapa ripoti
mwafaka kuhusu mabadiliko ya hali ya anga katika sehemu kadhaa. Aidha, Marigi ametoa wito
kwa wananchi kutilia mkazo matangazo zinazotolewa kupitia vyombo vya habari kuhusu mabadi-
liko ya hali anga ili kuepuka maafa.
Ends…Diana
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY; JOURNALISTS TOLD.
Journalists have been challenged to communicate science news effectively to enable people who
have not been trained in science to understand the issues that surround science.
Speaking at a media training on climate change in Naivasha, Rose Lukalo, a media consultant urged
journalists to find the simplest and most comprehensible way to communicate science news.
Rose said that subjects like climate change sound complex, but it is the responsibility of journal-
ists to make them relevant and interesting.
“ The issue of global warming sounds like a complex phenomenon, but journalists should ensure that
they understand it and demystify it so that even the people at the grassroots who do not have a
background with science can understand climate change and its effects.” She said.
Answering the journalists on how to push science news to the headlines, Rose Lukalo encouraged
them to avoid the use of jargon and make the news interesting by giving it a human interest angle
so as to break the stereotype that science news is boring and cannot make it to the headlines.
19AFRICA ADAPTATION PROGRAMME
Journalists Training
21st – 25th November 2011
Workshop Evaluation
Participant Name (Optional)....................................................................................................................
Institution/ Organization..........................................................................................................................
Job Title...................................................................................................................................................
Year in Position:WORKSHOP RESULTS
11 I accomplished the objectives of this workshop 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
12 I will be able to use what I learned in this workshop 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
SELF-PACED DELIVERY
13 The workshop was a good way for me to learn this content 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
14 What would have been done differently to improve this workshop? (Check all that apply)
Provide better information before the workshop
Clarify the workshop objectives
Reduce the content covered in the workshop
Increase the content covered in the workshop
Update the content covered in the workshop
Improve the instructional methods
Make workshop activities more stimulating
Improve workshop organization
Make the workshop less difficult
Make the workshop more difficult
Slow down the pace of the workshop
Speed up the pace of the workshop
Allocate more time for the workshop
Shorten the time for the workshop
15 What other improvements would you recommend for the next workshop?
16 What was least useful about this workshop?
17 What is most useful about this workshop?
TRAINING VENUE
18 The accommodation was ideal 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
19 The food was good 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
20 The training venue was suitable 1 2 3 4 5 N/A
21MEDIA TRAINING ON EFFECTIVE COVERAGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
DAY 2: 23 NOVEMBER 2011
# NAME MEDIA HSE/ORG TEL EMAIL
1 Mercy Adhiambo SciDev, Nbi 0722740028 dhiambomarcia@yahoo.com
2 Diana Wanyonyi Baraka FM, Msa 0726317872 Deegal95@gmail.com
KCA News Net-
4 Angela Michieka 0727704338 kemmangel@gmail.com
work, Nbi
joewambugu2003@gmail.com
5 Joseph Wambugu The Star - Nyeri 0720974663
Joewambugu2003@yahoo.com
6 Philip Muasya The Star - Mwingi 0720782746 p_muasyan@yahoo.com
7 Robert Ochoro The People -Kisii 0728435255 rochoro2000@yahoo.com
Coro Fm Radio –
8 Lydia Mwangi 0724872324 lydia2006_7667@yahoo.com -
Nyahururu
The Standard
9 Renson Buluma 0722942952 renorgi@yahoo.com -
-Busia
10 George Achia Science Africa, Nrb 0724604630 ogeorgeachia@yahoo.com
Freelance/online, 0725827428
11 Asha Muktar ashaabdi@ymail.com
Nanyuki
Josephwa07@yahoo.com
12 Joseph Wakhungu Radio Waumini, Nbi 0725639968
Kennedy Arthur kwekesa@standardmedia.
13 KTN, Nbi 0720261396
Wekesa co.ke
Emmy Jepkirui
14 Consultant, Nbi 0701437557 emmychepkirui@gmail.com
Chirchir
15
Peter Kahare People, Nakuru 0724596538 pkahare@gmail.com
Isaiah Kiprono Radio Africa Group Isaiah.langat@radioafrica-
16 0721543296
Langat (Star), Nairobi group.co.ke
Sandra_chao@yahoo.com
17 Sandra M Chao Standard (Msa) 0719580168
olondejacob@yahoo.com
18 Jacob Olonde MEMR, Nbi 0728925306
22bozojenje@yahoo.com
19 Bozo Jenje Nation (Msa) 0722593402
20 Joe Ombuor Standard, Nbi 0722578398 joeombuor@yahoo.com
21 Benard Ndong Freelance, Nbi 0711464630 Bentax09@gmail.com
AfricaScience
22 Naftali Mwaura 0723629177 naftalimwaura@yahoo.com
News, Nbi
Radio Mangelete,
23 Phoebe Mutua 0720965514 pmwongeli@yahoo.com
Mtito Andei
Oltoilo le Maa,
24 Musa Lakanet 0725029926 mlakanet@yahoo.com
Narok
Free lance (Nation),
25 Elijah Ndirangu 0722148028 mmugunda@yahoo.com
Nanyuki
Kenya News
26 Mary Ndirangu mawandi7@gmail.com
Agency, Nairobi
27 Weldon Kirui KBC Radio, Nairobi 0725 271309 oriopkirui@yahoo.com
The Standard, Ka-
28 Grace Wekesa 0720719859 gracewekesa2011@yahoo.com
kamega
mshai90@ymail.com
29 Jael Mshai KBC TV, Nbi 0711443704
30
Aileen Ogolla AAP 0736229079 akogolla@gmail.com
31
Diana Kathure AAP 0720452563 Diana.mutengo@gmail.com
32
Daniel Otunge Science Africa 0725336353 Daniel.otunge@gmail.com
33
Otulah Owuor Science Africa 0722843101 ootulah@yahoo.com
34
Leo Ogwango Science Africa 0789883879 Logwango2000@yahoo.com
23AFRICA’S LEADING PUBLICATION ON SCIENCE INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 24
You can also read
