Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Francis Hasalama has implored local media practitioners in the district to report on climate change and its impacts on the environment and livelihoods.

Mr Hasalama says the local media can play a vital role in the fight against climate change and its effects and environmental degradation that has largely been caused by human activities.

Mr Hasalama made this call when he officiated at a two day media training workshop on reporting climate change by Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) in Kapiri Mposhi.

“You as journalists can help in fighting this climate change through your reporting to help people with information to adapt to the effects of climate change,” Mr Hasalama said.

Mr Hasalama pointed out that the district is among those adversely hit by the drought situation that has compromised food security in the area.

And facilitating the workshop, ZAMCOM lecturer, Felix Kunda implored the media to amplify voices of members of the community on climate change.

Mr Kunda observed that climate change is a human rights issue as its impacts affect many human rights among them the right to health, the right to adequate food as well as the right to clean and safe water.

Mr Kunda implored government, being a duty bearer of human rights, to formulate policies aimed at guaranteeing climate change mitigation and adaptation in order to reduce vulnerability and enhance response to impacts of climate change.

The workshop drew participation of local media practitioners in Kapiri Mposhi District.