The role of communication in the face of climate change

To understand and analyze the role of communications in the face of Climate Change. With this objective in mind, the Chilean Ministry of the Environment (MMA) with the support of the EUROCLIMA+ program, through the FIIAPP, organized a seminar in Chile. During the session, they reflected on the contribution that the media, both traditional and alternative, should make to help raise public awareness of the impacts, effects and consequences of climate change, especially in Chile.  

“The climate crisis is the biggest challenge we face as humanity. We have a short window to act energetically, because the option to ensure a livable future is rapidly closing. That is why communication and the role it plays in raising public awareness is key. To discuss this contribution, I invite you to participate in this seminar, especially students, academics and social communication professionals” said Maisa Rojas, Minister of the Environment.  

The activity was attended by María Elena Oliveros, FIIAPP project technician in the Euroclima+ program; Andrea Obaid, president of the Chilean Association of Journalists and Professionals for Science Communication (AChiPeC); Martín del Río, Founder and CEO of Ladera Sur; Sebastián Benfeld, PUCV journalism student and founder of the “Escazú Now” movement; and Diego Riveaux, Director of the Sustainability and Innovation Department of the Municipality of Vitacura.  

The EUROCLIMA program is supporting, through FIIAPP, the elaboration of the Strategy for Capacity Development and Climate Empowerment, context in which this seminar is framed.  

What is Climate Empowerment Action?    

Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) was a term coined in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to refer to the actions carried out by countries under Article 6 of the same convention that integrates 6 elements: education, training, public awareness, access to information, participation and cooperation. In addition, it promotes processes that foster a sensitized and empowered citizenry around climate change in order to take responsibility – to the extent that it corresponds to them – for the important transformations that must be carried out to change the pattern of greenhouse gas emissions and adapt lifestyles, consumption and production, according to the impacts of climate change.