2022 Wrap Up: Covering Climate Change

The Deep Dive 39th Edition

Hi there,

We are still in the Christmas mood and look forward to ending 2022 in style. Africa Uncensored wishes you a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023

.This year was the toughest ever for Kenya, gripped by the unforgiving grasp of climate change. Kenya witnessed its worst yet drought with 23 counties affected and over 4 million Kenyans facing starvation. In recent years, we have continued to witness extreme weather events, most notably the rising lakes of the Rift Valley and the ongoing drought. In the wake of the threat to humanity that is climate change, the role of journalists in bridging the divide between rather technical nuances of climate change and an audience eager to make sense of it all, remains unparalleled. At Africa Uncensored we did our part and continue striving to bring you well-researched and balanced coverage on climate change and environmental justice.

Award Winning Piece by Calvin Rock

Calvin Rock’s piece ‘Saving the Planet one EV at a Time’ looked at the carbon dioxide emission in the transportation sector, its effect on the environment and the start-ups introducing electric buses to curb the problem. This piece went on to win a continents award in the Africa Climate Change and Environment Reporting (ACCER) awards under the Television Journalist Category. Check it out on our YouTube Channel.

Calvin also explored the murky waters that is the plastic problem in Nairobi in our piece The Trash Trade. Check it out on our YouTube Channel

Also check out Nyakerario Omari’s piece, Climate Activism which focusses o the environmental movements working to shift narratives and public awareness around climate change in Africa.

Debut Pieces by Clint Obere and Wambui Mwaura

Clint Obere made his debut piece, The Murky Mangrove this year. This piece looked into the declining Mangrove forest cover along the coastal region, the causes and how this is affecting those living around.

Is Nairobi Africa’s Drying City? Wambui Mwaura debut piece looked into the water crisis in Nairobi and how we got to it.

Cynthia Gichiri’s Reflection: Covering Climate Change

Kenya's economy is largely dependent on tourism and rainfed agriculture, both susceptible to climate change and extreme weather events. Increasing heat and recurrent droughts contribute to severe crop and livestock losses, leading to famine, displacement, and other threats to human health and wellbeing. Therefore, Media coverage on climate change is important and has had effects on public opinion, policy making and climate mitigation efforts.

In 2022, my assignments on climate change were the most engaging, eye-opening and thought-provoking experiences I have encountered as a journalist and an individual. I enjoyed team support and dedication in ensuring that each story we produced quality stories. It was also an opportunity to learn from colleagues and experts about what is happening in the world in terms of the impacts of climate change, ranging from higher temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, increased incidences of droughts and floods, Level rising lakes especially in the Rift valley region and the possible solutions that people can adopt to make things better.

We were also able to cover the pre-COP 27 climate Justice Torch Campaign organized by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, and we are preparing an explainer on this that you should look out for in the coming weeks. 

Cheers and Happy Holidays!