The media fraternity were brought together to simplify climate change. Climate change is often perceived as too scientific and technical a subject. The United Nations organized a two-day media workshop on climate change, solutions and the Sustainable Development Goals in Paro which ended today.
The participants, mostly media practitioners, will now work towards producing contents that will help the public understand climate change better. In turn, this is expected to contribute towards adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts in Bhutan. The participants discussed possible date requirements and story ideas related to climate change.
Through such a programme, the United Nations Office in Bhutan and the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) are harnessing the power of multimedia to reach the general public.
“JAB and media influencer in Bhutan are all part of the solution. They are all part of the solution because we need young people of Bhutan to take on the challenges around climate change and become part of the solution. This is one part of the media not just important but they are all important. And the United Nation has to be flexible enough to support the Royal Government of Bhutan work with social media influencer and JAB,” said Gerald Daly, the Resident Coordinator of United Nations Bhutan.
Climate change is a global crisis manifested in erratic weather patterns across the globe, increasing temperature, change in vegetation and disappearance of plant and animal species.
“We are very quick to say that we have 60 per cent of forest coverage, we don’t let people climb our mountains and we talk about previous Lyonchhen’s Ted-talk videos. They are very inspirational but as I was saying in my talk earlier this morning, it’s also very important to remind ourselves, the challenges that Bhutan faces now. Look at the traffic jams in Thimphu. For a small city, it is very scary at how many problems we are facing already,” said Pawo Choyning Dorji, a participant.
“Because there was no reaction to the forest burning in the amazon for a very long time neither from world leaders nor from celebrities. Leonardo was the first one I saw and this is why I put it up on my Instagram. I was thinking because he is seen as somebody that people like to model themselves on, he would inspire younger people. I have lots of millennial who follow me on Instagram. So I was thinking it might resonate with them and get them to think about issues that are larger than Bhutan but still so relevant to Bhutan,” added Namgay Zam, a participant.
According to the Agriculture and Forests minister, the media workshop is also in preparation for the upcoming UN Climate Summit where Bhutan will re-pledge her commitment to remain carbon neutral.
“Climate Summit is not just for the negotiator, or the scientists or the government officials or the scientists but climate summit is being held by the UN to combat Climate change, get better prepared for climate change, which means the negotiations and the talks at the climate summit needs to be known by the public. For that media plays a very important role. So today’s workshop specially conducted for the media’s involvement and creating awareness on climate change is very relevant for the climate summit,” shared Yeshey Penjor, the Agriculture and Forests Minister.
Resource persons at the workshop said Bhutan also experienced the impacts of climate change where heatwave and delayed monsoon caused the breach of Thothormi lake in Lunana. This calls for actions to adapt and mitigate climate changed induced impacts.
Sangay Chezom
