“Climate change impact more in Himalayan region”

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, JUNE 28: The impact of climate change in the Himalayan region is more pronounced than in other regions, particularly on water resources, livelihoods and biodiversity. These impacts can be minimized if people adapt to climate changes through awareness and sensitization. In this process, media can play a critical role.

To address these issues, a media workshop on climate change reporting was inaugurated here today.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, minister of information technology Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdog said, “

We are already feeling the impact of climate change such as rising heat in urban landscapes and water stress in many areas. We need to take action to deal with such issues.” She urged media to highlight different aspects of climate change in right perspective and create awareness among people and communities.

Mr. R. M. Mishra, Development Commissioner said climate change adaptation encompasses almost all aspects of climate change. If we are saying that we have manage CC, it includes almost everything. Dr Subhash Ashutosh, state nodal officer for climate change, presented an overview of climate change and adaptation and noted that Meghalaya had taken a lead in climate change adaptation.

Senior science journalist Dinesh C Sharma mentioned that media’s role was critical in climate change communication. “A major challenge before media persons is to translate science behind climate change and adaptation into a language people can understand.

Ms Annu Anand, head of advocacy at Centre for Media Studies (CMS) said climate change impacts are being felt across the Indian Himalayan region, affecting livelihoods, water availability and biodiversity in the region. The objective of the media program is to trigger the interest of journalists in climate change and to improve quality reporting on climate change in the media. The project is trying to build capacity of media to cover climate change stories with sensitivity and with proper understanding. This is necessary to take correct messages about climate change to people and motivate them to take action at the local level.

Ms Shimpy Khurana, communication officer at the Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP), said that under the media engagement program 12 training workshop for media persons will be organized on climate change and adaptation all over the Himalayan region over three years. In addition, 12 fellowships will be provided to journalists for writing on the subject. The program is working with media professionals in understanding complex issues surrounding climate change and enable them in presenting scientific and balance perspective to general public and also policy makers.