From campus to crisis: Seminar urges media students to lead Environmental advocacy
Hyderabad: Media students at St. Francis College were tasked with a critical mission: learn to tell stories that might help save the planet. The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at St. Francis College for Women held a daylong event titled “Framing the Future: Environment, Climate Change & Communication” on Wednesday. The event gathered educators, a documentary filmmaker, and many aspiring journalists to tackle what speakers called the defining challenge of their generation.
Prof. T. Uma Joseph, the Principal, welcomed everyone at the seminar. She stressed the urgent need for informed talks and teamwork to tackle environmental issues. She praised the organisers for making a platform that connects youth with sustainability. She highlighted how communication can change perceptions and inspire action. Further, Prof. Joseph shared the inspiring story of Pope Leo’s Green Vatican Initiative. She encouraged students (future influencers) to take up meaningful causes.
In his address to the students, K. Ravi Kumar, Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, highlighted the vital role of media in addressing climate change during the seminar. Referencing global efforts like the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, he urged students to become storytellers who inspire action, promote sustainability, and shape a more conscious future.
In a compelling session called “Framing the Future: Environment, Climate Change & Communication,” Dr. Shailendra Boora, SJ, an expert in environmental communication, spoke to students. He urged them to rethink how communication can influence environmental awareness and policy in India. The session aimed to not only inform but also inspire communication students to use their skills to influence change. “As future influencers, it is not just about how we communicate—but what we are communicating,” Dr. Boora emphasized.
In the first session, Dr. Boora introduced participants to the interlinked crises of environmental degradation, public health, and unsustainable development. He highlighted that 1 in 9 people today are likely to develop cancer, linking this disturbing figure to plastic pollution, contaminated water, chemical exposure in food, and widespread industrial pollutants. The commodification of basic needs—like water in plastic bottles—was cited as a health hazard, as microplastics and chemical leaching lead to long-term consequences. “We no longer have the luxury of clean air or water. That is the cost of our so-called development,” he said.
In the second session, Dr. Boora critiqued the “Infinite Growth Model.” He stressed that endless growth on a limited planet is a dangerous illusion. He explained how consumerism and capitalism have hurt self-sustained rural livelihoods. They replaced these with artificial growth metrics that harm the environment and public well-being. He raised concerns about food with chemicals, like milk. He also mentioned waste from overconsumption. Moreover, he pointed out that technological progress has not cut carbon emissions. Instead, industrialization has increased emissions by 46%.
The final session covered sustainable energy, smart resource use, and new ideas for transportation. It emphasized simple actions like walking and cycling as climate solutions. He also discussed the stark difference in the global emissions produced by the wealthy class and the middle class. He spoke about the sustainable development goals. He emphasized how they connect to climate action. This action could improve the planet's current conditions. Dr. Boora called for a content revolution in mass communication, one that is rooted in urgency, truth, and purpose. “Climate change is not a distant threat,” he told students. "It's a global emergency that affects every region, every species, and every generation.”
The seminar ended with a strong message: environmental communication is not a niche. It is now a necessity. The students of today must become the storytellers of a livable future.
