Climate change in Africa: A guidebook for journalists

    | August 24, 2014

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    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has produced a guidebook for journalists who report on, or who wish to improve their reporting on, the changing climate in Africa.

    Climate change poses a clear danger to lives and livelihoods across Africa. Journalists have critical roles to play by explaining the causes and effects of climate change, describing what countries and communities can do to adapt to the likely impacts, and reporting on the actions that governments and companies take, or do not take, to respond to these threats.

    Research on public understanding of climate change and surveys of journalists show that, across Africa, the media can do more to tell the story of climate change. UNESCO produced this guidebook to address this gap in reporting on the complex phenomenon of climate change.

    The authors of the guide represent organizations that have trained hundreds of journalists around the world to report more effectively on climate change. They consulted 44 journalists from 17 African countries and 38 climate change specialists, who provided their insights on what was missing from African media coverage and how this book can help fill those gaps.

    For more information and to download the guidebook in English or French, go to: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/publications-and-communication-materials/publications/full-list/climate-change-in-africa-a-guidebook-for-journalists/