Undeniably, environmental issues have attracted global interest. All economic activities take place in the environment. Therefore, it is imperative to address any matter affecting the environment with urgency. Production activities in industries result in high economic benefits since they supply goods and services that are fundamental to human life. However, most of the environmental problems experienced throughout the world emanate from these activities.
The decisions made by governments as well as companies’ managements affect the value of the environment positively or negatively. Therefore, the decision-making process in public or private institutions must consider the environmental impacts. Media plays a critical role in communicating information regarding environment-related decisions made in the political arena and private institutions. Communication is important as far as public awareness on matters of the environment is concerned. Media bears the responsibility for sensitizing the public on the importance of conserving environment and dissemination of information regarding how the environmental issues can be contested and addressed (Hansen, 2011, p.9). This paper will investigate the role of media in highlighting the environmental concerns and shaping decision making.
The Role of Media in Highlighting Major Global Environmental Concerns
The global environment is experiencing constant changes, and it is important to create awareness concerning these changes. Environmental problems occur in various forms such as climate change, natural disasters, and global warming. Some of the common global environmental concerns are described below.
Pollution
Pollution entails the contamination of various forms of environment such as air, water, and land. Industries emit substances such as heavy metals which are the leading causes of pollution. Democracy in most countries allows people to own property in various forms. Most of the company owners are not concerned with environmental impacts of careless industrial waste disposal, and they view appropriate waste management methods are expensive.
Environmental pollution is rampant in the developing countries where implementation of policies is a political process that takes a long time. Additionally, corruption is very high in these countries; hence, the execution of the law is poor. Also, the low level of technology makes the control of pollution expensive to most industries. The governments, as well as the local and international non-governmental organizations, use media to create public awareness on the detrimental impacts of some economic activities in their countries. However, some governments tend to oppose the efforts to fight pollution because of the economic benefits associated with some industrial activities.
The oil sands in Alberta are a contemporary example to demonstrate the conflicts between the government and non-governmental organizations through media on the account of environmental concerns (Pierre et al. 2010). The governments of Canada and Alberta support the production of oil sands, and they use the national media and millions of money to campaign and promote the growth of oil sands. On the other hand, the non-governmental organizations try to oppose the development of oil sands citing the devastating effects they have on the environment. They use media to present scientific facts and convince the public that oil sands have severe degradation effects on the environment despite their economic benefits and government support (Oppenheimer, 2006 p 886).
Global warming
Human practices and industrial activities result in emission of particles and gasses which increase the global temperature overtime. This phenomenon, commonly known as global warming, is one of the major environmental concerns that need to be addressed. Notably, global warming has numerous negative effects ranging from climatic changes to a reduction of world population through deaths.
The global warming has become a mass communication issue due to lack of public understanding. In this regard, media has failed to enlighten the public and to some extent, it has contributed to misunderstanding. Most people who get information about environmental issues do not understand the connections between the issue and other factors such as causes and effects (Simon, 1971 pg 98). Therefore, the public cannot advise on effective measures to curb the problem.
The enlightenment of public on environmental problems through media became clearly manifested in early 1980 in some countries like Britain and America. However, public awareness has increased in recent years owing to technological advancements in mass communication (Allan, Adam, and Carter 2000). Media has widened the publicity on the main environmental issues such as global warming resulting in increased awareness and environmental movements. Thus, the protection of the environment has become a universal demand.
Studies on the relationship between media and the public awareness of environmental problems reveal that media act as the major source from which the public learn about the impacts of global warming as a catastrophe through modification of their take on the environment (Boykoff and Boykoff, 2004). Besides, the media coverage determines their capacity to disseminate sufficient information to the public concerning environmental problems. Wide media coverage results in the availability of a large amount of information required to increase sensitivity and recognition of global warming as an environmental issue.
Overpopulation
The value of the environment is related to the population. An optimal population is essential for environmental sustainability. Overpopulation results in overexploitation of environmental resources leading to degradation. Human population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing countries. The rate of increase exceeds the rate of growth of food resources to sustain a high population. Thus, overpopulation is regarded as a global issue due to its strain on the environment.
Media plays a crucial role in making people aware of the dangers of environmental degradation. People are enlightened on the need to use resources sustainably considering that future generations will live in the same environment. Population explosion is a serious threat to sustainable development. High populations cause encroachment of people to restricted areas such as forests. As a result, natural catastrophes such as climate changes and shifting of seasons occur resulting in death and extinction of some species.
Modern advancements in technology have broadened the means by which media can relay information to educate the public on the importance of conserving the environment for sustainable development. The use of the internet to campaign for birth control has become more profound following the widespread of network and the modern communication devices. The media also highlight the importance of using the modern methods of birth control to ensure that populations are maintained at manageable levels and to reduce chances of explosions.
Media as transmitter of information on environmental problems
Media is the most reliable source of information to the majority of people in the world. A collection of information is sometimes risky and requires experts. Environmental information is sensitive especially when people with influence such as political leaders are involved in activities that lead to degradation of the environment. For example, some companies like Proctor and Gamble in America set particular terms before allowing the media to collect information from them (Dispensa and Brulle 2003 p93).
Media transmission of information involves the use various channels such as the internet, print media, and television to avail information to the public regarding environmental issues. The media companies hire experts such as editors and journalists to select the most sensitive information and disseminate it to the public in the most appealing way that would trigger reactions (Waal, and Schoenbach, 2007). Information on pollution, global warming, and other global environmental issues is presented in the most appropriate forms such as episodes and themes to ensure that the public makes informed decisions concerning that information (Iyengar and Simon, 1993).
Role of media in public mobilization
Media have a large access to people and the power to influence their behavior and perceptions. Information presented through media can modify individuals’ views pertaining to environment and decisions made. As a result, media have the power to mobilize the public to react to the information they get and to change their attitude towards the environment. For example, international conferences on environment appeal to journalists to be proactive in mobilizing public towards sustainable use of environmental resources (Skanavis, 2004). Modern technology and internet use promote the creation and dissemination of information through interactions. The information generated is then used by the media to answer public questions and motivate them to take positive environmental actions
Provision of specialists’ advice on the best use of environmental resources
The sustainable use environmental resources ensure that future generations will also use them to support their living. The manner in which people handle the environment depends on the information they have regarding the possible harm their activities can cause to the environment. Media companies hire specialists on environmental issues to advise the society on the importance of conserving the environment and promote awareness on the sustainability of environmental resources. The experts enlighten the public on the major environmental problems, their causes, and their effects. Also, they advise the national governments and non-governmental organizations on the need to consider environmental concerns in their policy making.
Global media campaigns
Media conduct vigorous global campaigns to highlight the major global environmental issues that threaten global biodiversity. The information concerning environmental problems is collected, analyzed, and used in conferences to inform and educate the public on these problems. Media campaigns are also conducted through various channels such print media, the internet, radio, and televisions. Additionally, media companies send representatives in international conferences involving many countries to highlight major environmental problems affecting life. For example, a UN Conference on Environment and Development was attended by media representative from all over the world. All deliberations concerning environments were recorded and made available to the public through various channels (Anup, 2014).
Media and global environmental governance
Environmental governance is fundamental to ensure sustainable use of environmental resources. The value of environment must be maintained for continuity of life (Boudes, 2014). Environmental governance entails the coordination of organizations which are concerned with the formulation of rules, norms, and policies that regulate the use of environmental resources. Also, it entails financing of activities involved in the maintenance of environment such as policy making process.
The regulations and policies made by the environmental governing bodies should be made available to the public. Additionally, the main environmental issues that need to be addressed with urgency must be presented before the governing bodies for consideration. Media highlight pressing environmental issues, present them to the regulatory bodies and give the feedback to the public. The international conference held in Sweden involved experts who examined the main environmental issues that have global effects and could only be solved through international cooperation (Boudes, 2014). In this conference, media was involved in the documentation of information which was then availed to the people in other nations.
Role of media in decision and policy making
Media has a significant role as far as decisions and policy making is concerned. In fact, it has been known to be a central pillar of nations in addition to other policy making authorities such as judiciary (International, 2010). Environmental policies are incorporated in almost regulatory policies since all human activities take place in the environment. The formulation of public policies and decision-making involves various parties such as political leaders, environmental organizations representatives, and the media. The decisions and policies made are then channeled to the public for actions.
Media play a significant role in shaping decisions concerning environmental issues. The interests of the public are presented before the policy making bodies, to ensure that the decisions reached are unanimous. Factory owners are bound to the regulations of environmental governing institutions. They are expected to adhere to the policies such as minimum pollution and waste management policies. Therefore, they must be consulted before such regulations are made. Also, government institutions contribute to environmental degradation. As such, media must ensure that harmonious decisions are made through consensus. However, media have failed to influence decision making in some cases due to the compromise of political leaders.
For example, the Canadian and Albertan governments supported the oil sands production activities without considering their social impacts. They used the national media to campaign for public support. On the other hand, non-governmental environmental organizations tried to use the same media to oppose the oil sands production because it had detrimental impacts on the environment (Pierre et al. 2010). From this scenario, it is apparent that though production activities have considerable economic benefits to the governments, they have severe negative impacts on the majority. The effects of such activities in few countries tend to spill over to other countries and eventually have global effects.
Media promote public participation in decision making. The efficiency and effectiveness of decisions depend on whether they are accepted by the public or not. Most of the environmental policies affect the public in various ways. In severe cases such as climate change and global warming, the entire world population is affected. Media is a valuable source of information both for the policy makers and the public. Public opinions are collected and presented to policy maker during decision making. Likewise, the decisions made are availed to the public for consideration. Thus, media ensure that decisions are shaped to favor both policy makers and the public. Besides, media serve as a public watchdog to ensure that environmental regulations are adhered to through creation of public awareness. Violation of these regulations is reported to the public and the regulatory authorities through appropriate channels. Thus, media ensure there is public agreement on the decisions made and consistency in observation of environmental regulations.
Conclusion
Environmental problems such as global warming and climate change are threatening global biodiversity with extinction. Failure to take regulatory measures on the major causes of environmental problems will lead to more severe effects on the future generations. The sustainable use of environmental resources is essential for the future benefits and continued support to life. Media play critical roles in shaping decisions concerning the environment. Through various channel, dissemination of information that contributes to increased public awareness has been made easy, resulting in quality and effective decisions. However, there are instances where media fail to influence public policies concerning the environment. Political power is one of the main hindrances of the efficiency of media in influencing policies. Some decisions are made in favor of political leaders irrespective of their impacts on the environment. International cooperation is important in solving global environmental issues. The global politics should empower media to enhance its role in highlighting these issues for environmental sustainability.
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