The world is facing a crisis that, if it does not act with speed and in the right manner, will cause irreparable damage. Mother Nature’s patience has run out, and her vengeance is being felt the world over. Unfortunately, those who angered her the least are receiving the greatest retribution.

Climate change is here, and the negative effects are now commonplace. From the devastating floods in the Middle East to the debilitating drought in the Horn of Africa, no one is spared the pain and tears.

Climate change, however, is a confusing and seemingly abstract concept not just to journalists but even to experts in the field.

The phenomenon has been addressed by scientists and environmentalists, but it is the politicians who have taken the lead in proposing solutions to this subject. What is not in doubt is the continent’s temperature are rising, with 2023 said to have been the hottest year ever experienced. It surpassed the 2016 record temperatures. Where the rubber meets the road has been on how to mitigate these effects. The rise in temperatures has brought about environmental catastrophe that has not just dealt the environment a blow, but humanity has paid a huge price in life and property losses. An easier route out of this mire is communicating the right messages to both the populace and policy drafters. This can best be done by journalists. Demystifying and simplifying the subject will help many relate to it and seek global solutions to the extreme elements.

If the passing of information is to be done the right way, communicators need to have the right tools to convey this message. Currently, there is a dispute as to whether planting more trees will assuage the vagaries of a rapidly changing climate. Among the proponents of tree planting, there is the concept of tree growing, which is said to be what should be done and not what leaders across the globe are touting as tree planting.

Of equal weight is the role of Africa in mitigating these effects, given its capacity to act as a carbon sink versus its development needs. The elephant in the room has always been – should the continent abandon fossil fuels for green energy when its development needs require the not-so-clean energy to fast-track industrialization?

This calls for a journalist to not only read on matters of climate but to equip themselves with material, knowledge, and arguments on the subject to enable them to make an impact through their communication. Suppose equal importance is understanding the subject well enough to break it down for mass consumption. Carbon sinks, carbon credits, financing at scale, carbon trade, reparations, and others are terms journalists need to understand to communicate.

All these require training and equipping them with the right tools and information for them to play a leading role in the climate change campaign. There have been courses tailored for development communication, those on gender and conflict messaging, and it is time communicators are acquainted with climate change communication if the battle is to be won.

By Tim Wanyonyi