Radio has long been a powerful tool for communication, information, and education. As the world marks World Radio Day today, February 13, 2025, the focus turns to how this medium can contribute to addressing climate change.
This year’s theme, “Radio and Climate Change”, highlights the crucial role radio plays in keeping communities informed, engaged, and prepared for environmental challenges.
In many parts of the world, particularly in rural communities, radio remains the most accessible source of information. It provides timely weather updates, educates people on sustainable practices, and gives a platform for discussions on environmental issues.
Farmers, fisherfolk, and pastoralists, who are often the first to feel the effects of climate change, rely on radio to receive critical information about weather patterns, drought forecasts, and natural disaster warnings.
Beyond providing information, radio serves as a space for dialogue. Community radio stations, especially in developing countries, enable people to share knowledge, discuss their experiences, and learn from one another.
Through phone-in programmes, listening groups, and interviews with experts, listeners not only absorb information but also contribute their insights, making the conversation around climate change more inclusive and locally relevant.
One of radio’s greatest strengths is its ability to communicate in local languages, using terms that people understand. Unlike written materials, which may be inaccessible to those who cannot read, radio reaches a wider audience, including those in remote areas with little or no internet access.
This makes it an essential tool in raising awareness and encouraging action against environmental degradation.
To maximise radio’s impact in the fight against climate change, there is a need for well-structured, climate-focused programming.
Agricultural radio segments, for example, can help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions by teaching them climate-smart farming techniques. Reports on ecological economics, green energy solutions, and environmental policies can inform decision-making at both community and national levels.
Investigative journalism can expose harmful practices such as greenwashing and challenge misinformation spread by climate sceptics.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has urged broadcasters to ensure the quality and diversity of their sources, as well as maintain editorial independence, free from political and corporate influences. This is essential in ensuring that climate-related reporting remains factual, reliable, and in the public’s best interest.
However, many radio stations face financial struggles, leading to reduced staff and difficulties in obtaining accurate information.
Women and young people also have a key role to play in climate communication through radio. Community stations should offer women a platform to speak on environmental issues affecting them, as youth-led programmes are increasingly addressing topics like renewable energy and sustainable farming. Their voices and perspectives are vital in shaping conversations and driving change.
As the effects of climate change become more severe, the demand for reliable information continues to grow. From small farming communities in Africa to coastal villages in Asia, radio is more than just a means of communication—it is a tool for survival, a centre for learning, and a driver of progress.
As the world observes World Radio Day 2025, the importance of this medium in addressing climate change cannot be overstated.
