Panel held in UAE discusses media's role in combating climate change

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AA) - A panel focusing on the media's role in combating climate change was held Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi.

Part of the Global Media Congress, it was moderated by Emirati journalist Mustafa Alrawi and was titled "Government Communication Tools for Sensitizing Audiences on Climate Change: Views and Experiences."

The discussion was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and was attended by H.E. Wang Yibiao, deputy editor-in-chief of China’s People’s Daily newspaper, Suzana Vasiljevic, media advisor to the President of the Republic of Serbia, and Costa Rica’s Minister of Communications Jorge Rodriguez Vives.

- Raising citizens' awareness about climate change through the media

Vasiljevic said the UAE and Serbia face many challenges regarding climate change, adding: "We adopted our new amendment law in 2021."

She said that prior to this, studies were carried out for a long time to inform the society, especially the media, about the problems that may be encountered.

Vasiljevic noted that her country was faced with floods and droughts due to climate change.

She said that information about the climate crisis started being conveyed at schools and universities and that scientists informed the society through the media.

"We offered incentives to change the windows and doors of homes in order to save energy," she said.

Vasiljevic said incentives are offered to citizens in Serbia to switch to hybrid cars, adding they are now more aware of what is at stake.

- 'Communication is an action that motivates'

Costa Rican Communications Minister Vives also touched on his country's fight against climate change, saying it is working to prevent deforestation.

Emphasizing that there is an important connection between communication and climate change, he said "communication is an action that mobilizes."

Vives said that in the fight against climate change, the aim is to protect science and society, to encourage decision-making, to inform and to take collective action for a sustainable future.