Environmental Journalism Week

The next decade represents a critical period, full of threats to the sustainability of the planet - and of our own lives - but also of opportunities. Opportunities that are born in the decisions that we all make every day, with a frequency that often goes unnoticed.

More than ever, it is crucial that we rely on reliable information, with the potential to guide our behaviors safely. An objective that is transversal to the most diverse sectors, activities, and concerns that live with us, including the environment, nature conservation, and the much needed sustainable development.

This reality, unfortunately, contrasts with what we observe every day in the various media available to us, especially on social networks. Channels flooded with fake news and misinformation, motivated by the plurality of news sources, by the unleashing of online habits, and by the use of less rigorous or even deliberately dishonest practices.

With the first edition of the Environmental Journalism Week, held in late May 2022 at the Carlos Paredes Auditorium (Benfica, Lisbon), the League for the Protection of Nature gave stage to emerging themes, constructive discussions and speakers who excel in the best practices of information. From investigation to information, passing through formats such as photojournalism and reportage, we presented 5 days marked by the quality of the media of national scope, by those who live from such an important regional or local close connection, and by international personalities.

The initiative was also an opportunity for academic enrichment, and a partnership was established with Escola Superior de Comunicação Social (IPLisboa), a higher education institution with programs dedicated to the training of journalists and communication professionals.

The event was also attended by the Society for Environmental Journalists - the largest professional society dedicated to environmental journalism in the world - in the person of its President, Sadie Babits.

The Environmental Journalism Week marked the national agenda as the first event dedicated to the theme in Portugal.