Environmentalist Jeremiah Ato has called on the Federal, State, and local governments to work diligently towards eliminating the climate change crisis that has plagued the country. He stated that this can only be achieved through effective environmental narrative and good governance.
Speaking at a workshop for journalists in Abuja, Ato explained that the media—both traditional and digital—should be at the forefront of shaping how governments at all levels and citizens understand climate change issues in the country. He hinted that they have developed and designed practical modules that are interactive and adaptable to different levels of decision-making, emphasizing that transparency, accountability, and effective implementation of national environmental laws are key.
The environmentalist opined that effective environmental communication would help bridge the gap between livelihoods, national security, and economic stability. He added that during floods, pollution, chemical spills, and other emergencies, timely and factual narratives can save lives.
On recurring floods, droughts, and biodiversity loss, he urged journalists to understand environmental risks, how communities must prepare for climate-related disasters, and how to navigate environmental stories without structured guidance on ethics and risk communication.
“Media should promote these messages to the public to create awareness that would include limited access to reliable environmental data, National Determined Contributions (NDC), climate adaptation plans, and multilateral environmental agreements,” he said.
He argued that strengthening timely, accurate, and responsible communication to the public with the necessary tools, skills, and ethical grounding would make environmental issues central to Nigeria’s development discourse, as they affect public health.
“This will draw attention to global best practices where Nigeria’s national environmental laws align with scientific concepts, and the media will carry out sufficient investigative reporting on environmental issues in Nigeria. It is evolving, yet several persistent gaps undermine effectiveness,” he added.
