Poor countries' media must tackle climate change

Ways to help

There are plenty of ways to assist. Journalism schools in developing countries can be helped to cover science and the environment in their curricula. Research institutes can develop better outreach programs. New media organisations can be established to focus specifically on climate change and its impacts, particularly using digital platforms. Working journalists can be trained, and senior editors persuaded, to improve their coverage.

Just ask Zhange Ke. It was his experience at a workshop on environmental journalism, organised by China's Capital Youth Journalists Association and Internews' Earth Journalism Network, that emboldened him to investigate the claims of Liupanshui's deputy mayor.

"I was inspired by the workshop and learned how to do investigative reporting," he explained, "So when the deputy mayor told us that there were no coal and chemical plants in his area of jurisdiction, I thought it was time to try what I had learned."

There are thousands of journalists out there eager to do just the same. It's time to help them.