African Media Respond to Imperative in Preserving the Environment

• Main Author: Maurice Odine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Athens Institute for Education and Research 2019-04-01
• Series: Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications
• Subjects: africa; communication; ecosystem; environment; information
• Online Access: https://www.athensjournals.gr/media/2019-5-2-1-Odine.pdf

As the second largest continent, Africa perpetually faces environmental problems that put populations at risk, often resulting in massive destruction and sometimes death. The Chadian-Cameroon Oil Pipeline, Bypass Project in Mozambique and Ogoni-land Nigerian project are examples of the devastation brought about by the dollar-seeking countries and Western-style oil-drilling companies. The telecommunication company, Huawei, has established 40 offices on the continent aimed at training Africans on environmental communication using digital technology. To raise awareness, the Stockholm Challenge emphasizes environmental justice and sustainable development. Despite achieving statehood only in 1994, the government of South Africa has condemned environmentally-induced poverty. Elsewhere, concerned Paul and Anne Ehrlich (1990) published, "The Population Explosion", which highlighted the planet’s depleting resources. In the blog, "Environmental Communication 2015", Andrew Revkin focuses on youth and solicits the latter’s ideas, ranging from library books and multiple channels to social and digital media. East African countries have formed the population, health and environment (HEP) union committed to environmental communication to protect planet earth.