‘Media critical in promoting climate change agenda’

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management Catherine Gotani Hara says the media is critical in championing the ministry’s agenda.

Hara was speaking in Lilongwe on Monday when she met the Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi.

Said the Minister: “Rapport will make us move together to promote sustainable development.”

She asked journalists to make environmental issues an attractive subject to readers, viewers and listeners.

Hara said her ministry is exploring alternative energy to the use of charcoal and firewood to save forests which are being depleted to meet energy needs in homes.

Vice-president of the association Matthews Malata said they will assist government in the socio-economic development of the country by raising awareness of the challenges and sharing best practices in the sector.

Malata said environment and climate change issues affects people’s lives in many ways.

“In Malawi, environment and climate change have shown adverse impact on agriculture, infrastructure systems, energy, human health, fisheries, forestry, water, wildlife and gender sectors and are a threat to the attainment of our Malawi Growth and Development Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.

The minister was accompanied by her deputy Ibrahim Matola.