By Ibrahima Yakubu
Head of Communication and Strategies
Science and Environment
African Climate Reporters
Website: www.africanclimatereporters.com
Email: ibrahimayakubu@gmail.com | info@africanclimatereporter.com
Phone: +234 703 896 7344
Climate journalism is fundamentally about the future. Yet much of today’s journalism remains trapped in the immediacy of the present,focused on breaking news and short-term cycles while failing to adequately address the long-term challenges shaping human survival. In an attention economy dominated by speed, noise, and competition for clicks, journalism must rethink its purpose and develop strategies that restore trust, relevance, and legitimacy.
This responsibility is particularly critical for public service media. Across the world, public broadcasters face increasing political pressure and ideological attacks that question their value and independence. But if public service media exist to serve the public good, who is better positioned to lead journalism that helps protect humanity by explaining the consequences of today’s choices?
Climate journalism offers that opportunity. It connects science, environment, economy, health, and social justice, helping audiences understand not only what is happening now, but what lies ahead. By investing in forward-looking, solutions-oriented climate reporting, public service media can reaffirm their mandate and demonstrate their indispensable role in democratic societies.
Such an approach is also essential to engaging younger generations,audiences that public service media increasingly struggle to reach. Young people are not disengaged; they are deeply concerned about climate change because it directly threatens their future. Journalism that takes these concerns seriously speaks to their realities and earns their trust.
Climate journalism is not a niche or a trend. It is a core responsibility of modern journalism. Above all, it is journalism for the future,because it is their future at stake.
