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Voice coalition for the environment on the front line

super typhoon. flash floods forest fires drought. Although the challenge of climate change is global, its impacts and solutions are often local. Therefore, society needs reliable information to mitigate environmental impacts and find new ways to adapt. This is where the role of environmentally focused citizen newspapers comes in. With this in mind, the Global Alliance for Alternatives to Incinerators (GAIA) Asia-Pacific Media Fellowship was launched in 2019, designed to increase the participation of journalists in the Philippines and Malaysia. Various media organizations and academic institutions report on environmental issues affecting the region. Fellows from various media organizations have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on key issues such as zero waste (ZW), plastic pollution and waste-to-energy (WTE). The Zero Waste Journalists Network was born from this initiative.

The Zero Waste Journalists Network aims to increase media coverage of zero waste and thereby increase public engagement on the issue with a focus on developing countries, especially the hardest hit areas. Digital and online discussions and exchanges between network members will continue to build skills by informing colleagues through collaborative learning. This access allows news feeds containing relevant science and policy information to reach audiences in the Global South. Taking a network approach, it aims to be more sustainable by creating a network of climate change journalists working in leadership roles with their local counterparts and community audiences.

The Zero Waste Journalists Network was officially launched on January 19, 2023 as part of the commemoration of International Zero Waste Month.

Among the journalists is Jerry Lirio (Philippines – Southeast Asia), who recognizes the importance of environmental reporting after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haian), especially climate reporting on small island countries, and advocates the creation of a “green” table. Media in the Philippines; Ben Bilua (Solomon Islands – Pacific) sees the importance of climate reporting, especially for an island nation like his; and Abhishek Kumar (India – South Asia), highlighted the importance of highlighting Zero Waste (ZW) work in the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrating that we have solutions for the Global North.

The other founding members are: Shiburaj AK (India), Mehdi Al Amin (Bangladesh), Lauraib Athar (Pakistan), Parvez Babul (Bangladesh), Ben Bilua (Solomon Island), Marit Kapukon (Philippines), Ranjit Devraj (India), Melvin Gascon (Philippines), Shadakshi Kavalde (India), Sabir Hussain (Pakistan), Bui Thanh Huyen (Vietnam), Barami Jayakodi (Sri Lanka), Abhishek Kumar (India), Jerry Lirio (Philippines), Cao Lai Li (Vietnam) , Adi Marcela (Indonesia), Ian Messindire (Malaysia), Ted Ong (Philippines), Bhumi Kala Boutel (Nepal), Purple Romero (Philippines), Ashrapul Alam Shuvro (Bangladesh), Anantha Prakash Subedi (Nepal), Shailendra Yashwant (India ), Vishal Yousafzai (Pakistan) and Xibei Zhang (China).

The historic launch of the Zero Waste Journalist Network will give voice to the zero waste and climate debate.

The International Zero Waste Month is made possible thanks to the collaboration with the following media: Lawyers (Philippines), Bandung Bergerac (Indonesia), Business Ecology (China), The Business Post (Bangladesh), The Manila Times (Philippines), Pressenza ( Global), Rappler (Philippines), Sunrise Today (Pakistan), The Recombulator Lab (Global) and Republic of Asia.

Zero Waste Month celebrations began in the Philippines in 2012 when young leaders launched the Zero Waste Youth Manifesto, among other things, to celebrate Zero Waste Month. Presidential Proclamation No. declared January Zero Waste Month in the Philippines. It became official when the 760 was released. Since then, it has been widely promoted by NGOs and communities that have adopted this approach to manage their waste.