The listeners of radio stations in Kolkata will get messages of protecting the environment to prevent climate change starting from World Environment Day on 5 June. UNICEF and CASA on 2nd June organised a sensitization programme for the RJs and radio professionals of private FM channels, Akashvani, Community Radio and HAM Radio. The programme showcased various creative methods to highlight issues of climate change and ways to mitigate them.
Through creative radio messages listeners will be reminded to switch-off car engine at the traffic signal or put off the lights, AC or fans while leaving the room to lower pollution level and prevent the earth from further heating. Turning off the roadside water tap or repairing a dripping faucet at home can go a long way to stem the change in climate pattern.
“We RJs will spread such messages in fun-filled, creative and non-directive methods to protect the environment,” RJ Ginnie Mahajan from New Delhi and RJ Sumanta Banerjee of Kolkata said.
India has been promoting ‘Mission LiFE’ to urge an individual and the community to protect the environment. “By saving energy and water and adopting sustainable food systems, we can achieve it,” Dr MN Roy, former secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development department of West Bengal, said.
Jayanta Basu, an environmental expert, drew the attention of the audience towards saving the lives of 50 lakh people living in the Sunderbans which is facing the brunt of climate change and consequent sea level rise. “It’s a climate emergency and we need to save ourselves and those being made victims by our unconscious and sometimes irresponsible anti-environmental behaviours,” he said.
“Children are most affected during any natural disaster, with their protection, nutrition, health, hygiene and education being often compromised. UNICEF has already started programmes to build resilience among the school children and the messages in the radio programmes will garner mass awareness in the community about climate change,” Mohammad Mohiuddin, Chief of UNICEF in West Bengal, said.