We live in an age of global environmental crises and the most effective weapon we have is an informed citizenry. For progress to occur on environmental matters, public authorities and general populations need to agree upon policies which foster sustainability, biodiversity and renewable energies – this is where environmental journalism comes in handy! For that purpose it’s key that information be disseminated and awareness raised – this is where environmental journalism plays its part.
Recent events like Australia’s recent fires, Hurricane Dorian’s passage, or heat waves across Europe made international headlines and highlighted how human actions impact on Earth’s ecosystems in dramatic fashion. Furthermore, globalisation creates new environmental risks which require immediate attention.
Environmental journalists investigate the effect of environmental phenomena by exploring their root causes and exploring possible mitigation measures that citizens could take to help preserve local environments. Furthermore, environmental journalists keep up-to-date with renewable energy technology developments as well as any laws intended to reduce pollution or deforestation.
Recent environmental issues to gain increased recognition are scandals involving animal cruelty at factories, labour issues on industrial fishing vessels and consumption of excessive amounts of meat by some individuals. Furthermore, scientists are deeply concerned by climate change-driven coral reef destruction as well as overharvesting practices which threaten these valuable ecosystems.
As for the future, some experts advocate reassessing our relationship with nature in order to prevent global ecosystem collapse. Others maintain that collaboration among different sectors will be the key to successfully combating climate crisis.
Fossils of single-celled foraminifera provide researchers with an excellent window into Earth’s past CO2-levels by comparing ratios of carbon-13 to carbon-14 isotopes within these remains, providing a window into how oceanic CO2 levels and mass extinction events were connected.
Environmental activists suggest that in order to save our planet, we must begin by changing our lifestyles. However, our main challenge will remain striking a balance between protecting the environment and our economic interests; many companies are eager to exploit our planet’s resources in exchange for profit. This can be seen by the fact that numerous COP28 presidents have been accused of misusing their positions as climate leaders to strike deals for oil and gas production with foreign governments, including Canada. As such, transparency and accountability must be promoted to safeguard our children and grandchildren’s futures. Meanwhile, let us fight back against those responsible for this ecological catastrophe by ceasing to consume meat, recycling more responsibly, using renewable energies more frequently, respecting animals that live within forests, seas or deserts, etc.
