By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, February 18, 2025 – In a bid to combat the growing threat of climate misinformation and enhance accurate reporting on climate issues, Frank Mpahlo the Executive Director of Green Governance Zimbabwe recently trained journalists and women miners on the intricacies of climate change and its mitigation.
The training, organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), took place last week in Mutare, and aimed to build the capacity of media professionals to report on climate change with precision and depth.
The workshop focused on equipping journalists with the tools and knowledge necessary to report on climate change effectively. Mpahlo emphasized the dual role of journalists as educators and watchdogs in the fight against climate misinformation.
He also highlighted the importance of empowering women miners, who are often on the frontlines of climate impacts, with accurate information to mitigate its effects.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a social, economic, and political challenge that requires informed voices to drive action,” Mpahlo said during the training. “By building the capacity of journalists and creating a network of informed voices, we can ensure that the public receives accurate and actionable information.”
Mpahlo outlined the primary causes of climate change, emphasizing both human activities and natural factors.
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes have significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions, while natural causes like volcanic eruptions and solar radiation variations also play a role.
The effects of climate change are already being felt worldwide, with rising sea levels threatening coastal communities, shifts in plant and animal populations disrupting ecosystems, and extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe. Mpahlo stressed the urgency of addressing these challenges through mitigation and adaptation strategies.
To combat climate change, Mpahlo called for a multi-faceted approach. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reforestation are critical mitigation measures.
On the adaptation front, he highlighted the need for building sea walls to protect vulnerable coastal areas, developing drought-resistant crops, and enhancing early warning systems for extreme weather events.
“Mitigation and adaptation go hand in hand,” Mpahlo explained. “While we work to reduce emissions, we must also prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change.”
Mpahlo also discussed the importance of climate policies at both global and local levels. International agreements like the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) provide a framework for global action.
However, he emphasized the need for national and sub-national policies tailored to local contexts.
In Zimbabwe, efforts are underway to develop a comprehensive climate policy. Mpahlo urged stakeholders to ensure that these policies are inclusive and address the unique challenges faced by communities on the ground.
A key theme of the training was climate justice. Mpahlo stressed that the impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed, with vulnerable communities often bearing the brunt of its effects. He called for equitable solutions that prioritize the needs of marginalized groups and ensure fair access to resources and opportunities.
“Climate justice is about recognizing that those who contribute the least to climate change often suffer the most,” Mpahlo said. “We need solutions that are fair and inclusive.”
One of the most pressing challenges in climate reporting is the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation. Mpahlo warned that false narratives, conspiracy theories, and cherry-picked data are undermining public understanding of climate change.
He provided journalists with tools to identify and counter misinformation, including fact-checking resources like Climate Feedback, Google Reverse Image Search, and FotoForensics.
“Misinformation is a shape-shifting enemy,” Mpahlo said. “Journalists must be vigilant and use every tool at their disposal to ensure their reporting is accurate and credible.”
Mpahlo shared several tips for effective climate reporting. He urged journalists to understand the science of climate change, stay updated on the latest research, and avoid sensationalism. He also emphasized the importance of distinguishing between individual weather events and long-term climate trends.
“Reporting on climate change requires a deep understanding of the science and a commitment to accuracy,” Mpahlo said. “Journalists must convey risk responsibly and avoid false balance by giving equal weight to unscientific viewpoints.”
Mpahlo highlighted the critical role of the IPCC in providing authoritative assessments of climate science. He encouraged journalists to use IPCC reports as a reliable source of information and to communicate their findings effectively to the public.
“The IPCC is the gold standard for climate science,” Mpahlo said. “Its reports provide the evidence base for informed decision-making and action.”
The training concluded with a call to action for journalists to take their role in the climate crisis seriously. By reporting accurately, challenging misinformation, and amplifying the voices of those most affected, journalists can play a pivotal role in driving climate action.
As Mpahlo aptly put it, “The fight against climate change is not just about science and policy; it’s about storytelling. Journalists have the power to shape the narrative and inspire change. Let’s use that power wisely.”
With the skills and knowledge gained from this training, journalists and women miners are now better equipped to tackle the challenges of climate change and contribute to a more informed and resilient society.