In the past year we have witnessed environmental events that have captured the attention of the entire world. The impressive downpours in Greece and Turkey, the fires in Tenerife or the emergency situation in the Doñana National Park, aroused the interest of the audience, highlighting the importance of solving the environmental challenges we face.
This interest in climate change and the loss of biodiversity is reflected in Internet searches, which have become one of the main concerns of users, according to the “Annual Index of Global Problems” prepared by the Semrush platform. Headlines such as “the hottest month in history” became key for Internet users interested in sustainability and environmental issues.
Interest in climate change has increased significantly in Internet searches
But this is not a one-time issue, throughout history we have witnessed real natural disasters where information professionals provided coverage and demonstrated the importance of environmental communication.
The need for green journalism
Environmental journalism plays an important role in disseminating accurate and relevant information, which has become important tool to raise awareness and promote positive change in society. Thanks to this work, citizens will better understand the causes and consequences of environmental problems and contribute their grain of sand.
Living in a world where there is a lack of water, animal and plant species are in danger and it is difficult for us to imagine the future that seems unbelievable, but reality is stranger than fiction. The year 2030 is the date set by the UN to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which promote good practices and call on all countries to act to, among other things, protect the planet. The circular economy has become a sustainable alternative that manages to move us away from a linear economy, characterized by “take, use and throw away” to move to an economy where the care of resources and the waste reuse is a word. . Environmental journalism has a fundamental role in disseminating this information that makes us reflect on the human impact on the environment and encourages us to take steps to protect it.
Through shocking stories, nature journalists remind us of the reality we live in and that we sometimes don’t realize. María García de la Fuente, president of the Association of Environmental Information Journalists (APIA) confirms that: “If we want a society that has judgment, knows and knows what is at stake, journalism is important; And if we also want society to be sustainable in the coming years with quality of life and less pollution, environmental journalists are needed, true specialists in environmental information, who disseminate with a sense of responsibility.
We must not forget that environmental communication professionals put the environmental care debate on the global political agenda thanks to their reports and research work.
Thanks to the storytellers
Valuing the work done by communication professionals on the importance of environmental sustainability has become fundamental and is a way to improve information produced with rigor, quality and commitment to truth.
Authors of any nationality who have published their articles in national media can submit for the award.
The environmental journalism awards given every year by the Spanish Mineral Water Association (ANEABE) are a perfect example of recognizing the awareness-raising work of journalists and content creators about the importance of the transition to a circular economy where the use of resources and raw materials is done responsibly. The association announces its IV Environmental Journalism Award within the framework of the V ANEABE Sustainability Conference, under the name “Sustainable in every drop”, where authors of any nationality – living in Spain – and who publish their articles in national media (in Spanish) between January 1 and October 30, 2023.
It is important to emphasize that these awards have a financial prize of 1,000 euros that will be given during the ceremony on Wednesday, November 22, in Madrid. According to ANEABE, in this new edition the journalistic works focused on the food and beverage sector.
Without a doubt, environmental journalism is a key part of sustainability advocacy respect for the environment and the environment and these types of initiatives empower professionals to develop higher quality work.
