Climate Change Communication and Media Farmers' Reliance on Radio and Other Media for Climate Information: A Case Study of the IGAD Region

Abstract

Lately, talk about climate change has become ubiquitous, though meteorologists have always been considered as the primary source of climate information, due to the role they play in forecasting the weather pattern. But a recent study about the relationship of climate change, food security and mental health in the IGAD region conducted by the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change (ACCRCC)- has come up with a more nuanced outlook. This study, covering pastoralist communities in Kajiado (Kenya), Borena (Ethiopia), and farming communities in Uganda paints a surprising picture: Farmers relied more on radio, television, and social media for weather and climate information as opposed to the more formal climate forums or “barazas” usually run by meteorological officials, usually at the beginning of the rainy season to educate farmers on expected weather trends and prepare them for planting. The study is based on work done as part of the South-South Exchange (SSE) research initiative on the impact of climate change on mental health in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, with funding from Climate Action Africa of Canada. It employed a multi-pronged research methodology that combined focus group discussions, surveys and key informant interviews. The study focused on understanding the mental health implications of stressors caused by climate change on agricultural communities that are vulnerable, ultimately revealing that climate change is not just an issue of agricultural production, but also of mental health for these communities.