Climate Activists Protest Fossil Fuels at COP28

Climate activists took to the streets of Dubai during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to protest against fossil fuels. The activists raised placards and chanted slogans, calling for an end to the use of fossil fuels and a transition to renewable energy sources.

UNESCO Warns of Violence Against Environmental Journalists

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has warned of an increase in violence against and intimidation of journalists reporting on the environment and climate. The organization released a report on World Press Freedom Day, which found that at least 749 journalists and news media outlets reporting on environmental issues were targeted with violence, detention, or legal attacks between 2009 and 2023.

Journalists Face Censorship and Self-Censorship

The report also found that many environmental journalists face censorship and self-censorship. A third of journalists surveyed said they had been censored, and almost half said they self-censored when covering the environment due to fear of being attacked or having their sources exposed.

UNESCO Launches Grants Program for Environmental Journalists

In response to the threats faced by environmental journalists, UNESCO is launching a grants program to provide legal and technical support to over 500 journalists facing persecution. The program will be announced at a press freedom conference in Chile this week.