The Climate Watch launches as a new hub for climate and environmental news. In a significant step towards advancing climate awareness, a dedicated news portal for environmental and climate issues in the South Asia region, The Climate Watch, was officially launched on Sunday (November 3) in Dhaka.
The platform aims to spotlight critical climate change issues, amplify diverse voices, and promote solution-oriented journalism, said a press release.
Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, first secretary, environment & climate change, Embassy of Sweden, Dhaka addressed the inaugural programme as chief guest at CPRD conference hall.
Nayoka Martinez Bäckström said that The Climate Watch represents a crucial step forward in amplifying climate voices and bringing urgent environmental stories to the forefront.
“In tackling the climate crisis, it’s vital that we incorporate diverse perspectives—especially those of women and youth—and bridge the gap between abstract policy discussions and the real impacts on communities. The Climate Watch platform has the potential to not only raise understanding and awareness, but also to help mobilise the needed actions at the right time,” she said.
In addition to the platform launch, the “CW-CPRD Media Fellowship” awarded 10-story grants to 10 climate journalists and hosted a climate storytelling workshop, which brought together journalists, experts, and climate advocates to discuss climate storytelling, solutions journalism, and the importance of including youth and gender perspectives in reporting.
Holly Wise from the Solutions Journalism Network emphasized solutions journalism as a powerful tool in climate reporting, highlighting methods for evidence-based storytelling that shed light on responses to environmental challenges. Md Shamsuddoha, CEO of Center for Participatory Research and Development, outlined the pressing adaptation challenges facing Bangladesh, citing research and expert analysis, while Shamsuddin Illius, bureau chief of The Business Standard in Chattogram, discussed the core elements of effective climate storytelling.
A range of perspectives were shared to deepen the dialogue. SAM Jahan, video correspondent at Reuters Dhaka, offered insights on making local climate stories accessible to a global audience, while Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, highlighted the critical role of youth in climate justice advocacy. Nayoka Martinez Bäckström further emphasized the necessity of incorporating women’s voices and those of other underrepresented groups in climate processes, both nationally and locally.
Adding an investigative dimension to the discussion, Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, former Bangla editor of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), encouraged reporters to bring investigative elements into climate stories, providing tools for uncovering the root causes of environmental issues.
The launch event and workshop showcased The Climate Watch’s commitment to facilitating impactful, solutions-driven journalism on climate issues. This platform promises to be a transformative space for elevating the voices of those most affected by environmental change, inspiring meaningful action in the face of the climate crisis.
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