Media Urged to Focus on Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Pollution Issues

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, stakeholders including environmental experts, journalists, and policy-makers convened in the capital for a vital discussion on the media’s role in addressing environmental crises. The event, titled “Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” was jointly organized by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) and the International Press Institute (IPI) Nepal Chapter.

Chief of the REDD Implementation Centre under the MoFE, Naba Raj Pudasaini, emphasized the urgency of addressing forest conservation, watershed management, and the reduction of plastic use. He highlighted the detrimental effects of forest fires on biodiversity, air quality, and climate change, advocating for community-involved strategies to tackle these issues.

Pudasaini also brought attention to the challenges in accessing carbon finance, citing bureaucratic delays and capacity issues that prolong the process to an arduous 6-7 years. He called for a simplification of the carbon trade to enhance global cooperation on climate mitigation efforts.

At the event, Nagarik newspaper editor Gunaraj Luitel underscored the investigative role of the media in exposing environmental challenges. Meanwhile, governance and federalism expert Ramesh Adhikari stressed the importance of monitoring corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds and ensuring their use in environmental protection.

Environmental journalists Anjali Subedi and Jagadiswor Pandey advocated for the establishment of a dedicated research center to provide journalists with reliable data and information, crucial for informed reporting on climate issues.

Siromani Dhungana, general secretary of the IPI Nepal Chapter, noted that such dialogues foster collaboration and innovation among stakeholders, driving forward the agenda on environmental sustainability.

The event drew a diverse group of attendees, including representatives from civil society organizations, development partners, and environmental activists, all united in their call for more precise and proactive environmental journalism.