Countries in Southeast Asia like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are among the megadiverse countries in the world with large indices of biodiversity and high endemism rate. The Philippines alone contains two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and houses about 70% to 80% of the world’s plants and animal species (Convention on Biological Diversity). The list of biodiversity in the country keeps growing every year with new discoveries. The 2015 expedition of the California Academy of Sciences in the Verde Island Passage discovered more than 100 marine species new to science. Unfortunately, while the region is teeming with life in many forms, it is also among the world’s biodiversity hotspots with high rates of deforestation, marine plastic pollution, wildlife trade, and many other issues. Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia are also tagged as among the major contributors to marine plastic pollution destroying major habitats and endangering biodiversity.
The continuing decline of biodiversity in the region reflects the low appreciation and prioritization of biodiversity and its services among government leaders, policymakers, and the general public. This is where the media can help turn the tide on biodiversity loss. Through their stories, they can shape public opinion and rally people to support environmental conservation initiatives.
This bootcamp was able to enhance the biodiversity media reporting capacities of at least 30 journalists, impact communicators, and mass communication students in Southeast Asia. We intend to equip them with knowledge, skills, and tools for more effective biodiversity reporting.
- Understanding Biodiversity
- Module 1: Biodiversity terms & Biodiversity Conventions, Dr. Jonathan Anticamara (University of the Philippines, Diliman)
- Module 2: Envi issues in SEA & ZW contribution to biodiversity. , Dr. Jonathan Anticamara (University of the Philippines, Diliman)
- Communicating Biodiversity
- Module 3: Biodiversity Reporting: lead journalist mentors, Dr. Paz Diaz (Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication), Cao Thi Ly Ly (Viet Nam News), Wahyu Dhytamika (Tempo Digital)
- Module 4: Biodiversity Reporting: Persuasion & moving the audience to act, Dyna Rochmyaningsih (Society of Indonesian Science Journalists), Dewi Safitri (CNN Indonesia)
- Champioining Biodiversity
- Module 5: Waste pickers as biodiversity champions
- Module 6: Zero Waste Communities as vanguards of Biodiversity
Trang Hong Vu, Stepforward Education/Asia Democracy Chronicles
Ramadhan Wibisono (Indiosar), Baiq Nabila Tazkya (Nexus3 Foundation), Nirra Swastika (Universitas Dinamika, STIKOM Surabaya)
Preserve the Environment, No Burning Waste!
Gafur Abdullah (ak-Abd Gafur), Mongabay Indonesia
Komantin Saèbu, Flora Endemik Madura dalam Bayang Kepunahan
Purple Chrystyl Romero (Freelance Journalist), Punyathorn Jeungsmarn (Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand)
Philippines Using AI on its Waste Crisis, The West’s Environmental Crisis Migrates From China Elsewhere