The Center for Environmental Perspective for Information and Sustainable Development organized an awareness workshop last weekend in Nador on the challenges of climate change, particularly in the Mediterranean coastline.
Held in conjunction with International Climate Day, the workshop was organized in partnership with the Moroccan Association of Regional Sciences (AMSR), the Association of Life and Earth Sciences Teachers, the National Forestry Engineering School, and supported by the Earth Journalism Network and the Environmental Education and Sustainable Development Center in Nador. The event aimed to inform participants about the potential impacts of sea-level rise in the Mediterranean, exchange strategies for adaptation, and promote practical measures to protect coastal areas.
The workshop also focused on preserving marine and coastal ecosystems, enhancing the resilience of communities against climate risks, and involving local stakeholders by promoting cooperation between local authorities, non-governmental organizations, researchers, media, businesses, and society for effective climate risk management.Speakers emphasized the importance of raising awareness and strengthening the resilience of communities and infrastructures on Morocco’s Mediterranean coastline to face upcoming climate challenges.
During the event, held under the theme “Climate Action: Our Responsibility, Not a Choice,” participants highlighted the role of media, particularly environmental media, in raising societal awareness about climate change.
Speaking on this occasion, Mohammed Tafraouti, President of the Center for Environmental Perspective for Information and Sustainable Development, noted that environmental media, in addition to their role in raising awareness about environmental issues, also foster debate on climate matters, promote their acceptance within public opinion, and encourage the development of environmental policies.
He added that media coverage of climate change, its features, and its consequences is essential for society to make informed and responsible decisions about this complex issue. He stressed the importance of both the quantity (how much information is shared) and the quality (how information is reported) of media content.
“It is crucial to encourage dialogue between scientists and the media, breaking researchers out of their academic isolation and simplifying scientific data found in reports and studies,” Mr. Tafraouti stated. He also emphasized the need for journalists to be involved at all stages of negotiations, summits, and conferences to gain a deeper understanding of the issues and report them creatively and independently.
Abdellatif Khattabi, President of AMSR, highlighted that climate change, one of the main global environmental challenges today, significantly impacts ecosystems and human communities. He noted that one of the major threats is sea-level rise, which poses a serious danger to coastal areas due to significant flood risks.
This rise also leads to other harmful effects, such as coastal erosion and more severe flooding, he explained. Communities relying on coastal areas for economic activities such as fishing, tourism, and agriculture face the risk of losing their natural resources and infrastructure.
He added that addressing sea-level rise requires a coordinated global response from governments, research centers, and local communities. These entities must collaborate to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to protect coastlines and ensure the survival of these regions for future generations.
The day’s program included roundtable discussions and debates on the impacts of climate change on the Mediterranean coastline, potential solutions to address these challenges, and a field visit to Nador’s coastline.
