Abstract
This chapter explores the role of open access in promoting climate change adaptation and sustainable development. It reviews global trends of journalists' access to information and specifically discusses Tanzania journalists' access to and use of climate change information. The chapter further assesses the impact of journalists' access to open information resources in adapting to climate change and promote sustainable development. The chapter also discusses the challenges journalists encounter in accessing and using open access information resources. It further recommends solutions to the raised challenges and suggests areas for further research. The chapter concludes by giving insights on major issues of concern on open access.
TopBackground
Climate change poses a serious threat to food security, energy, water resources, infrastructures, tourism, population and biodiversity to countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The sustainable growth of these sectors largely depends on how the public is correctly informed on proper measures to be taken to address climate change and develop sustainably. To efficiently use resources without compromising the future and address climate change, the public ought to have access to appropriate information through journalists. Journalist’s role entails identifying, collecting, synthesizing and disseminating information to users in desired form. Their access to free, relevant and timely information is critical in promoting climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Access to open resources helps journalists to comprehend and cover climate information to the public. Open access resources not only provide journalists with free information but also ensure easy access and use of climate change information resources that fosters understanding and learning among citizens.
In the recent years, the world has witnessed adverse climate change impacts which have threatened initiatives to achieve sustainable development. Climate change menace is a cross cutting global challenge societies in the world face. It occurs as a result of increased human related activities in a prolonged time of over 30 years (Schafer and Schlichting, 2014). Of late, the world has witnessed an increase in climate change related disasters with developing countries being most affected, (United Nations [UN], 2019). Despite climate change posing threat to societies across the globe, developing countries with low adaptive capacities and those frequently attacked by natural climatic disasters such as Honduras, Jamaica, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Zambia (Boykoff and Roberts, 2007), are more prone to adverse impacts of climate change. Resultantly, climate change which has cross-cutting effects tends to have severe impact in a number of key economic sectors such as agriculture, water, infrastructure, irrigation, human settlements, wildlife, water, livestock and forestry. Other sectors affected by climate change include industry, business, religion and sports.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Sustainable Development Goals: Are seventeen global interconnected targets prepared and set by the United Nations where parties agree to achieve by 2030.
Internet: Networked computer protocols linking webpages across the entire globe used in communication. They webpages provide online information in both open and closed systems.
Open Access: A situation which permits people to freely access, use and share scholarly information by removing communication barriers.
Climate Change: Refers to a long-term climatic condition emerging as a result of human being excessive production of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The gases affect the ozone layer, cause global warming and change rainfall and temperature patterns.
Climate Change Adaptation: Practices people apply when adjusting to changes brought by climate change. The society adapts by adopting and adapting new livelihood strategies to exist and develop sustainably.
Sustainable Development: Entails human beings’ progressive economic growth and resources utilization which also considers the future generations.
Journalist: Information professionals engaged in gathering, processing and disseminating information of interest to the audience in a society through mass media.