Public Keynote Lecture: Addressing Ghana’s Ecological Challenges – Why environmental journalism matters; Invited Speaker: Professor Chris Gordon, University of Ghana

Abstract:

Daraja is a word in Swahili that means bridge. This is the fundamental role of a journalist: to act as a bridge, enabling ideas and concepts to traverse seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This function has become increasingly important as Ghana confronts an existential crisis stemming from the paths of development we, as a nation, have pursued over the past decades. Ghana is exceeding planetary boundaries necessary for human existence, struggling with the polycrisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity loss, and Environmental Degradation. Over the past 25 years, we have lost 50% of our forest cover due to logging and illegal mining (galamsey), with illegal mining severely contaminating our rivers; 60% of water bodies in mining-affected areas are highly polluted. Climate change and rising sea levels are putting immense pressure on coastal communities, resulting in loss of life and property. The growing population has led to rapid urbanization, with fewer people living in rural areas. Unplanned urban growth has resulted in inadequate waste disposal, often exacerbating issues in urban waterways and causing flooding. Our soils are being depleted and negatively affected by poor agronomic practices, which ultimately results in reduced agricultural productivity. Scientists have been aware of these issues for many years. The question arises: why has this knowledge not been transformed into policy, become common knowledge, or prompted a change in mindset among the Ghanaian people? Environmental journalists are crucial for changing our development pathway by holding the public, government, and industry accountable. They expose issues like deforestation, wetland loss, and pollution. By raising awareness of environmental emergencies, they pressure political leaders to move from mere rhetoric to action.

Professor Chris Gordon is the Founding Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana.

Prof. Gordon has over thirty-five years of experience in teaching, research, and outreach in the areas of Limnology, Aquatic Resource Management, Coastal wetlands, Climate Change, Environmental Science, and Sustainability. He has led the development of documents for the Ghana Government, such as the Climate Change Policy, Biodiversity Policy, and the State of the Environment Report 2016. Chris Gordon has won several awards including the Field medal for Conservation Biology (USA) and the Order of the Volta, awarded by the President of Ghana for service in Development, Education and Research. 

His research interests are in Biodiversity, Earth System Governance, Sustainability Science, Ecotoxicology, Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Policy. Chris’s current interests are in the barriers and enablers that link academia and policymakers in decision making. Additionally, Chris is interested in research, curricular development, and training for the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

This keynote lecture is open to the public.

For virtual participation via zoom, please use the following link:

https://uni-freiburg.zoom-x.de/j/65120623288?pwd=PhmN3cg7gYTFkQgFDnQwcPLaEEBa1P.1

Meeting-ID: 651 2062 3288
Code: 0NEXAjDsR