JET strengthens climate journalism with launch of Media4Climate second cohort

DAR ES SALAAM: Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern it is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century, affecting economies, public health, food security, biodiversity, and livelihoods across the globe.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and storms.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that 2024 was the warmest year ever recorded globally, while the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that without stronger climate action, the world remains on track to exceed the Paris Agreements target of limiting warming to 1.5°C.

Africa contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it remains one of the continent’s most vulnerable to climate change.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that climate change costs African economies between US$7 billion and US$15 billion annually, with losses projected to rise significantly by 2030. Across the continent, changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, floods, and rising temperatures continue to threaten agriculture, water resources, wildlife, and human health.

Tanzania has not been spared from these impacts. In recent years, the country has experienced devastating floods, prolonged dry spells, declining agricultural productivity in some regions, coastal erosion, and threats to iconic ecosystems that support tourism and biodiversity.

Climate change has increasingly become a national development issue, requiring coordinated action from government institutions, development partners, civil society, the private sector, researchers, and the media.

As public awareness becomes a cornerstone of climate resilience, journalists are uniquely positioned to translate complex climate science into accurate, compelling, and actionable information that empowers communities to respond effectively.

Recognizing this vital role, the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening climate journalism by equipping a new generation of reporters with the knowledge and practical skills needed to cover one of the world’s most pressing issues.

It was against this backdrop that JET participated in the official launch of the Second Cohort of the Media4Climate Advocacy Initiative, a programme designed to train 40 young media professionals from across Tanzania on effective climate change reporting.

The launch took place recently, at the United Nations House in Dar es Salaam, under the Media4Climate Advocacy Initiative, implemented by the Youth Survival Organization (YSO Tanzania) with financial support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

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Speaking during the opening session, JET Executive Director John Chikomo emphasized the importance of building a new generation of journalists capable of reporting climate change through a structured approach that focuses on knowledge, practice, and impact.

He explained that, “The programme equips participants with a deeper understanding of climate concepts, content development, accountability journalism, practical reporting tools, and methods for measuring the impact of their stories,” According to Chikomo, strengthening these competencies will enable journalists to produce credible, evidence-based reporting that not only informs the public but also influences policy discussions and promotes environmental stewardship.

“The media has an indispensable responsibility in helping societies understand climate change and inspiring action. Well-informed journalists can bridge the gap between scientific research and ordinary citizens, ensuring communities receive accurate information that enables them to adapt and build resilience,” he noted.

He announced that, the initiative also seeks to prepare the selected journalists to provide comprehensive coverage of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place from November 9 to 20, this year at the Antalya Expo Centre in Antalya, Türkiye.

“Through specialized mentorship and training, participants are expected to improve their understanding of international climate negotiations, national climate policies, adaptation strategies, mitigation efforts, and climate finance,” he elaborated Chikomo noted that, “The second cohort builds upon the remarkable achievements of the programme's first group, which was trained in 2024.

Graduates of the inaugural cohort have continued producing impactful climate stories that have contributed to raising public awareness and strengthening environmental reporting across Tanzania,” He further highlighted JET’s longstanding contribution to environmental conservation through investigative journalism, public awareness campaigns, and strategic media engagement aimed at promoting sustainable environmental management.

Beyond national reporting, JET also represents environmental journalists and civil society voices in international climate forums, including the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), ensuring that Tanzania’s experiences and perspectives are reflected in global climate discussions.

According to Chikomo, journalists have a critical role in supporting environmental conservation by increasing public awareness, promoting accountability, documenting local climate impacts, highlighting successful adaptation initiatives, and advocating for policies that protect vulnerable ecosystems while encouraging the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources.

The event attracted representatives from civil society organizations, development partners, environmental institutions, and media stakeholders, all of whom underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration in addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change in Tanzania.

Officially launching the programme, Clara Makenya, representing UNEP Tanzania, called for stronger partnerships between government institutions, journalists, civil society organizations, researchers, and development partners.

She stressed that effective climate communication is essential in helping communities understand climate science, national climate policies, and international climate negotiations while encouraging informed participation in climate action.

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“Participants are expected to apply the knowledge acquired through the programme to produce high-quality climate stories that elevate local voices, showcase innovative adaptation solutions, and contribute to evidence-based public dialogue,” she said.

She indicated that, “As Tanzania continues strengthening its climate resilience agenda, initiatives such as Media4Climate demonstrate that investing in young journalists is equally an investment in informed citizens, accountable governance, and sustainable development,”

“With climate change increasingly shaping the country’s environmental, economic, and social future, empowering journalists with the right knowledge, ethical reporting skills, and scientific understanding has become more important than ever,” she mentioned.

She stressed that, through partnerships such as the Media4Climate Advocacy Initiative, Tanzania is nurturing a new generation of media professionals who will help ensure that climate stories are reported accurately, responsibly, and with the urgency the global climate crisis demands.

As climate change continues to reshape communities, economies, and ecosystems, the role of the media has never been more crucial. By equipping young journalists with the knowledge and practical skills to report accurately and responsibly on climate issues, the Media4Climate Advocacy Initiative is helping build a stronger, more informed society.

With COP31 on the horizon, the programme is expected to inspire impactful storytelling that not only informs the public but also contributes to evidence-based decision-making and collective climate action in Tanzania and beyond.