I'm constantly complaining (to no one in particular) about the lack of coverage of environmental issues in the Indian media; about the long road we have to travel to "enlighten" people of the close link between their lives and their immediate surroundings. That the future isn't as far off as we'd hope or imagine.
But then I came away from an interview this afternoon having learned that it isn't much different here. And that it isn't all about the media's coverage either. More as an interest for the elite, environmental issues will always take a back seat to any other issue; and that the higher the economic impact of any issue, the further away we are from this "environment" thing. It's really just a bother and not much else.
We've come a long way though. From being unaware, to disinterested, to remotely informed, to possibly curious. And that seems positive enough; it's just that I can't see where we're heading.
Maybe tomorrow when it's light outside.
1 comment:
In an effort to contribute to my cousin's new blog and at the same time procrastinate, here's my first real blog comment (on environmental issues, of all things!):
Despite your legitimate worries, Divs, the Indian press is getting better at covering global warming.
For example, the current edition of Frontline, billed "India’s National Magazine" (from the publishers of The Hindu newspaper), includes an expansive global warming package, complete with articles and interviews on the subject. These detailed pieces include information on how global warming is specifically affecting areas like the Himalayan glaciers, and commentary on how India’s policy needs to address climate change. One piece censured the U.S. - a major contributor to global warming and carbon emissions - for not tackling the problem. This coverage seems to be a direct response to the February release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.
Take a look at the magazine.
A link to the cover story:
"The Heat is On"
In Volume 24, Issue 04, Feb. 24-March 9, 2007
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