Environmental Journalists Honored at Green Journalist Awards in Islamabad
Romina Khurshid Alam, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, acknowledged the pivotal role of environmental journalists in climate action by distributing the Green Journalist Awards at the National Press Club on June 3. The awards were a highlight of the World Environment Day 2024 celebrations, orchestrated by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA).
The celebration kicked off with various activities including an awareness walk and a debate competition, setting the stage for the award ceremony. While presiding over the event, Alam expressed her gratitude towards the Director General of EPA for rejuvenating the award tradition that honors climate reporters. She also announced that future climate awards would be dedicated to the late Senior Reporter Shabbir Hussain, who died in the line of duty. “We are dedicating the climate journalist awards for male and female journalists in the name of Shabbir Hussain. This initiative, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to foster national recognition across all four provinces,” Alam stated.
Addressing the attendees, Alam highlighted the borderless nature of climate change and global warming, underscoring their pervasive impact on daily life. She announced plans for collaborative efforts with the press club to organize capacity-building workshops and further awards to enhance the journalism community’s proficiency in climate reporting. “Our inaugural activity at the Press Club focuses on building the capabilities of journalists and decision-makers, which is crucial for understanding the fundamentals of climate reporting,” she added.
Farzana Altaf Shah, Director General of EPA, emphasized the indispensable role of the media in disseminating policy decisions and messages related to climate action. “The void left by Shabbir Hussain, a pioneer in environmental journalism, is irreplaceable. His tireless efforts with the EPA highlighted that journalism, inherently aimed at reform and correction, is vital for addressing environmental issues requiring all stakeholders’ attention,” Shah remarked.
Nayyer Ali, Secretary General of the Press Club, applauded the efforts of the EPA and the PM’s Coordinator. He urged Alam to consider organizing additional awards, reflecting the growing passion for climate reporting in Pakistan and around the world.
Dr. Ziagham Abbas, Director of Labs and NEQS at EPA, introduced the awards ceremony, highlighting Pak-EPA’s commitment to promoting effective climate action through media engagement and public awareness initiatives.
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