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By Zafirah Zein

Until recently, climate-related stories rarely made headlines, even though climate change is a global crisis that cuts across borders and touches virtually every beat in the newsroom, said media experts at the Innovate4Climate (I4C) 2019 Media Fellowship in Singapore last week.

Speaking to a room of journalists from around Asia at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, Kaia Rose, multi-media and film content lead at the World Bank Group said, “Climate change is an economic story, a public health one and at its heart, a human story.”

“The interesting thing we have to think about as media professionals is how do we weave the climate story into everything else we’re writing about? How do we find that climate thread in stories that might not appear, on the surface, to be related to climate change?” she added.

Organised by the World Bank Group and EB Impact, the sister non-profit organisation of Asia Pacific-based sustainability media organisation Eco-Business, the fellowship brought together journalists from Singapore, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, India and the Philippines in a one a half day media programme that equipped journalists with skills to report on climate change and sustainability in the region.

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Journalists also got the opportunity to cover global trends in finance, technology and innovation at I4C’s first edition in Asia, which took place during Singapore’s largest sustainability week of the year.

“Very often, the message that we’re giving on climate change is that it’s big problem which is often overwhelming and frightening to the audience. But we have to begin to think beyond those messages and focus on the solutions, which is what the discussions are attempting to address,” said Craig Hobbs, senior consultant at Connect4Climate, a global partnership programme launched by the World Bank Group, Italy’s Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

He stressed that with the negative news climate and increasing public distrust in the media, it was important for journalists to focus on solutions and positive behaviour to mitigate the impact of climate change.

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The message we’re giving on climate change is that it’s big problem which is often overwhelming and frightening to the audience. But we have to begin to think beyond those messages and focus on the solutions.

Craig Hobbs, senior consultant, Connect4Climate, World Bank Group

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“There is a great opportunity at conferences like this to educate yourself on the science behind the issues and get you thinking about how to emphasise the positive—the technology, innovations and solutions that address climate change and will get us to where we need to be,” he said.

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According to Donny Superman, a documentary producer and broadcast journalist from Indonesia, the media training and event coverage opened his eyes to how the story of climate change encompassed issues he once thought as isolated, such as plastic waste and water management.

“Climate change is not really interesting to the average viewer, but this programme has opened my mind to the many ways in which this issue can be made sexier and how it connects to many other issues that I have reported on before,” he said.

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Reporting on the most dangerous beat in Asia

Although environmental problems such as air pollution, plastic waste and global warming are growing ever more visible and climate change has emerged as the biggest story of the century, journalists in Asia and beyond face major challenges in reporting on these issues, including threats to their jobs and lives.

According to research, environmental reporting is one of the most dangerous beats in journalism, with 40 reporters around the world perishing between 2005 and 2016 because of their work on often sensitive and controversial environmental issues—more than were killed covering the United States-led war in Afghanistan.

Purple Romero, a multimedia journalist from the Philippines with a decade of environmental reporting experience, brought up how local reporters can be shot dead for shedding light on sensitive issues that often involve influential businesses or criminal activities, such as illegal logging and human rights abuses.

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“In the region, I think being an environmental journalist is the biggest job hazard ever, and in some countries you could be killed, like in the Philippines and Brazil,” said Jessica Cheam, managing editor of Eco-Business. “I think knowing how to push the boundaries is very important. There are certain ways you can communicate your stories that will make them resonate to all stakeholders and push an issue in a neutral and balanced manner.”

“The question is how can we report on these important topics in a way that is balanced and not aggressive or offensive?” Cheam added.

Other than the dangers of reporting on the environment, research shows that environmental journalists also face obstacles such as insufficient time for field reporting, inadequate training in climate science, and a lack of support from their newsrooms.

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“Journalists need the opportunity to learn about the finance, investments, technology and opportunities that tell a more positive story and encourage climate action across all stakeholders,” said Hobbs. “Media training sessions like this are an attempt to educate journalists on the nuts and bolts so they can better translate the issue to the public.”

James Zhang, editor at Singapore-based, Chinese-language magazine Fortune Times, said, “I’ve picked up new reporting skills related to data journalism and how this can be effectively used on our news site. Other than being a very global platform, this fellowship has taught me how to better use the resources available in my work.”

“It has also been a great opportunity to meet journalists and experts from different parts of the world who have different perspectives on the same climate issue,” Zhang added. “Climate change does not have a boundary so it is important to know what other media professionals in other countries think. A wider perspective will definitely improve my reporting on such a global issue.”

The multimedia exhibition is the centrepiece of the museum’s month-long Climate: SOS – Season of Sustainability, a series of events and programmes focusing on the impact of climate change on oceanic environments.

It is open to public for free from Saturday, 5 October to Sunday, 3 November 2019.Produced by Eco-Business, the exhibition showcases the sights, sounds and stories of landscapes and communities at the frontlines of climate change – from the melting Arctic to droughts in Chennai, and the impact of rising temperatures in Asia’s cities, including Singapore.

These are captured in a series of photographic prints, a 360° video experience and a brand-new documentary entitled Arctic Awakening, which explores humanity’s relationship with our planet and aims to provoke answers to one central question: Can humanity change course?

The exhibition is part of Eco-Business and EB Impact’s eponymous climate change initiative Changing Course. Jessica Cheam, Managing Editor of Eco-Business and director behind Arctic Awakening, said: “This year we turned our attention to the North Pole, which is changing at an unprecedented rate due to climate change. What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic and has repercussions for the entire world, including Asia. We wanted to tell the story of what’s happening in the region, why it’s important to study what is going on here, and how it relates to us here.”

To encourage visitors to contribute towards restoring our planet, EB Impact also launched a new campaign to raise US$10,000 to plant 10,000 trees in four countries in Asia: India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Visitors can do so by scanning a QR code at the exhibition itself or by visiting https://bit.ly/reforestwithebimpact to donate. Each dollar will allow partner One Tree Planted to put one tree in the ground. EB Impact is the sister non-profit organisation of Eco-Business dedicated to programmes that generate positive sustainable development impact.

Honor Harger, Executive Director of ArtScience Museum, said: “ArtScience Museum has a deep commitment to sustainability. Over the past five years, we have staged several exhibitions, programmes and educational activities that that send a clear message about the urgency of taking action to address environmental threats such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Having worked on several projects that investigate the critical issues faced by rainforests in South East Asia, Climate S.O.S switches focus to the sea and the polar regions, with a series of projects that encourage our visitors to take action to protect these ecosystems. We are pleased to be working with like-minded partners such as Eco-Business, the Singapore Eco Film Festival and MeshMinds who share our passion for creating a better future for the environment.”

Changing Course 2019 is a multi-stakeholder initiative supported by a wide range of organisations including APRIL Group, ArtScience Museum, Blue Planet Environmental Solutions, City Developments Limited, ComfortDelGro, iSwitch, Henkel, the Norwegian Embassy in Singapore, OCBC Bank, Olam International, RED, Sindicatum Renewable Energy, Singapore’s Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, United Nations Environment, and Wartsila. The initiative is organised in support of Singapore’s Year Towards Zero Waste and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Sunny Verghese, Chief Executive Officer, Olam International and Chair, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, said: “At Olam, we have a direct interest in tackling anything that could impact the future of agriculture. But such complex challenges like climate change are impossible to solve alone. Through initiatives like Changing Course, we hope more will take up the cause to re-imagine our future with us.”

Jackson Chia, Group Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer, ComfortDelGro, remarked: “As a global transport operator, we are ever cognisant of the fact that our operations have significant impact on the environment and the communities we operate in. Changing Course’s urgent call to climate action resonates with us as the consequences of climate change have critical impacts to our business enterprises.”

Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited (CDL), said: “As a strong advocate for climate action, green buildings and ESG best practices in the real estate industry, CDL has always been committed to tackling climate challenges. We firmly believe in collaboration and partnerships to amplify positive impact. For over two decades, youth development has been a priority for CDL to nurture young eco-champions. CDL hopes that the Changing Course exhibition, curated by CDL E-Generation Challenge 2017 winner Jessica Cheam, will inspire and spur climate action among museum-goers.”

Commenting on what he’d like to see visitors take away from Changing Course 2019,Andrew Koscharsky, Chief Commercial Officer of iSwitch, added: “Climate change is real. The world is pleading for change towards a more carbon neutral footprint. We must all do our part to help make Singapore and the world a greener place to live in and it doesn’t take much to start.”

Koh Ching Ching, OCBC’s Head of Group Brand & Communications, said: “We are pleased to partner Changing Course for the second time. What we like about the programme is the action it takes to fight climate change, beyond just words. One key action we must take is to tackle carbon emissions. Eco-Business has championed this cause commendably.”

“There is increasing clarity that businesses should be responding to the global imperative to achieve the 2030 development agenda, while keeping within climate targets of below 1.5 degrees warming. We recognise that sustainable forest management plays a critical role in this mandate,” said Lucita Jasmin, Director of Sustainability & External Affairs, APRIL Group.

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To watch the trailer of Arctic Awakening, click here

To download photographs from the exhibition, please click here

For media queries, please contact Hannah Koh, hannah@eco-business.com

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About Eco-Business

Established in 2009, Eco-Business is Asia Pacific’s leading media organisation on sustainable development. Its independent journalism unit publishes high quality, trusted news and views that advance dialogue and enables measurable impact on a wide range of sustainable development and responsible business issues. It is headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Manila, Beijing, and correspondents across major cities in Asia Pacific. Visit http://www.eco-business.com

About EB Impact

EB Impact is the sister non-profit organisation of Eco-Business focused on delivering training and programmes to Asia Pacific’s underserved communities to generate positive sustainable development impact.
Visit http://www.ebimpact.org

About Changing Course

Changing Course 2019 is the second edition of Eco-Business’ flagship climate initiative that raises awareness on climate change and inspires action to address it. The centrepiece to the initiative, Changing Course 2019: An exploration of our climate crisis, is an interactive exhibition held at the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from 5 October to 3 November 2019. Developed by Eco-Business journalists, the photographs and VR experience shine a spotlight on the relationship between the melting North and Asia to provoke answers to this central question: Can humanity change course? Visit http://www.changingcourse.eco-business.com

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[PRESS RELEASE]

20 November 2020, Singapore – EB Impact, the non-profit sister organisation of Eco-Business, has launched a new programme called ‘Sustainability Exchange’ in partnership with tech company Facebook. 

This inaugural programme is specially tailored for youths to work on solving problem statements under the guidance of seasoned professionals who work on a wide range of sustainability issues. 

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Youths today will play an increasingly critical role in shaping how organisations adapt to an uncertain world beset with urgent environmental and social problems, but they need the tools to navigate a business and policy landscape that has changed radically.  

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By 2030, the United Nations estimate that the number of youths, defined as persons aged 15 to 24 years, will have grown by 7 per cent to nearly 1.3 billion. 

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Around the world, the youth population is increasingly vocal in their demands for amore equitable, sustainable and resilient future. There is a need for greater human capital investment in youths today, to accelerate their understanding of the critical challenges ahead for humanity and to equip them with the skills to navigate this challenging landscape. 

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This three-month programme will help youths develop new capabilities in the area of sustainability and serves as a thought leadership platform for youths and mentors to exchange ideas and to drive sustainability innovation in Singapore. 

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The youths and mentors accepted in this programme will be matched according to their interests in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, launched in 2015, serves as a blueprint to address the global challenges facing humanity – such as inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, excessive consumption and production  – and to achieve a sustainable and resilient future.

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The mentor–youth matching process facilitated by EB Impact will align the interests of participants and to allow them to develop new capabilities that will help to achieve the SDGs.

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The youth teams will work in tandem with their mentors on a project that could be applicable to their organisation, or more broadly applicable to Singapore’s climate context.

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Earlier this year, the Singapore government enhanced its Paris Agreement pledge, to peak emissions at 65 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030, halve emissions from its peak by 2050, with a view to achieving net zero emissions as soon as viable in the second half of the century. It also announced plans to phase out ICE vehicles and have all vehicles run on cleaner energy by 2040.

Sustainability Exchange offers a unique opportunity for the mentors and their respective organisations to tap on youth talent to solve some their organisational challenges and more importantly, to solve a broad range of Singapore’s climate and sustainability issues.

“We are excited to be launching this new programme to help drive sustainability innovation in Singapore and help the country and its organisations achieve its climate and sustainability targets. We look forward to helping the youths and mentors create solutions that will address the SDGs,” said Jessica Cheam, Board Member, EB Impact and chair of the Climate Action SG Alliance, a supporting organisation of the programme.

To mark the official launch of the programme, EB Impact hosted a virtual dialogue on 20 November where leaders in government, businesses and the youth community gathered to discuss the critical challenges faced by Singapore as it seeks to reach carbon neutrality by the second half of the century.  

The virtual dialogue provided valuable insights on how individuals and organisations can work together to achieve this target, and how our youths can play a part in driving sustainable impact through innovation.  

“Facebook has a strong commitment to partnering with others to develop innovative solutions for a more sustainable world. We are proud to partner with EB Impact and Climate Action SG Alliance to help youth in Singapore become involved in solving some of our toughest challenges,” said Gavin Chua, Head of Infrastructure Engagement in Asia for Facebook.

“Facebook has been a part of the Singapore community since 2010 through our offices and the construction of our first data centre in Asia, and we look forward to seeing the results of this programme,” Chua added.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, who was guest-of-honour at the event, observed that “as countries look to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the pursuit of sustainability will present opportunities for economic recovery and growth. But more importantly, an environmentally sustainable approach has to be the new norm for all countries, in order to mitigate the long-term existential challenge of climate change.”

“As we continue this journey of sustainable development, there will be many new and exciting green job opportunities for our youths – for instance, in the agri-food industry, climate science and carbon services. While you will be among the groups affected by the impacts of climate change, you can also be a climate game-changer and make a positive difference to Singapore and the world. It is therefore important that you not only gain an understanding of the impacts of climate change and importance of sustainability, but also knowledge of the intricacies, considerations and trade-offs that are often required when incorporating sustainability in policy and business decisions. This will enable you to effectively lead the charge against climate change,” added Dr Khor.

Swati Mandloi, youth delegate, Singapore Youth for Climate Action, one of the speakers at the dialogue, said: “I believe that climate change mitigation and adaptation will require, most of all, intergenerational solidarity and engagement of stakeholders across different sectors. There are clear pathways towards building a strong economy through the integration of environmental protection and social inclusion; to achieve this youth have an important role to play as citizens, employees, investors and consumers.”

Mentors and youths are invited to apply for ‘Sustainability Exchange’ from now till applications close on 11 December 2020, 2359h.

The applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. It is highly recommended that interested applicants get their application in as soon as possible. Successful applicants will be notified of the subsequent steps via their registered email.

To apply as a youth applicant, please click here.

To apply as a mentor, please click here.

-Ends- 

Note to Editors: 

All media coverage on the event should include a mention of Sustainability Exchange, an initiative by EB Impact, in partnership with Facebook and supported by Climate Action SG Alliance. 

View the full programme here. 

Full list of speakers 

• Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Republic of Singapore

• Gavin Chua, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, APAC, Facebook
• Sang Shin, Director of Digital Innovation, Temasek
• May Liew, Head of Sustainability and Open Innovation, SP Group
• Swati Mandloi, Youth Delegate, Singapore Youth for Climate Action
• Sheri Zuleika, Student, Singapore Management University
• Jessica Cheam, Board of Directors, EB Impact
• Robin Hicks, Deputy Editor, Eco-Business

For media inquiries and photos, please contact: 

Samantha Tan 

samantha.tan@ebimpact.org 

Partnerships Manager 

EB Impact  

The SDG Co, 2 Science Park Drive | 01-03, Ascent | Singapore 118222 

About EB Impact 

EB Impact is the non-profit arm of Eco-Business, focused on delivering training and programmes to Asia Pacific’s underserved communities with a focus on youth to generate positive sustainable development impact. We are headquartered in Singapore and our three strategic areas of focus are: Education, Youth, and Nature-based solutions. All our programmes are designed to directly generate positive environment and social impact for society.  

About Facebook 

Founded in 2004, Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. People use Facebook’s apps and technologies to connect with friends and family, find communities and grow businesses. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc.  

About Climate Action SG Alliance 

Climate Action SG Alliance comprises of a group of 17 NGOs and business leaders to advocate climate action and raise public awareness on climate issues.