\\\'Media reporting vital in mitigating climate change impact\\\'

RAJSHAHI, July 27 (BSS): Speakers at a discussion in Rajshahi said that the role of the print and electronic media is very important towards mitigating the adverse impact of climate change in the region especially the vast Barind tract.

Terming the adverse impact of climate change as detrimental to the living and livelihood condition of the people in general they said emphasis should be given on creating mass-awareness on how to adapt the climate consequences of those collectively.

They were addressing the closing and certificate-giving session of a four-day training workshop for the newsmen styled "Role of Media: Climate Change Issues" held at the conference hall of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sunday afternoon.

Twenty journalists working for the local and national news media participated in the training workshop organized by News Network in association with the German Embassy in Dhaka.

Ataul Gani, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (Revenue), attended and addressed the session as chief guest. Environmental expert Dr. Hossain Shahriar, Correspondent of Time Magazine, former Dhaka Bureau Chief of Associated Press Farid Hossain and News Network Editor Shahiduzzaman also spoke.

The speakers said media can supplement the process of attaining the capability of disaster management and climate change adaptation through depicting exact extent of the climate change impact.

Media can draw attention of the policy makers to the plights of the climate change victims in the region as the climate change has been pushing the living and livelihood condition of the people into vulnerable condition.

"Climate change links most of the livelihood, ecosystem and biodiversity related issues", said Dr Hossain Shahriar. He adds that the Bangladesh should be more proactive to protect its people from the adverse impact of climate change that has become a big challenge at present.

The ongoing climate change at an alarming rates has severely affected every sector including agriculture and its diversity creating a real threat to food production, the discussants opined.