Every year on February 13, World Radio Day reminds us of an enduring force in communication – one that has refused to fade into obscurity despite the digital revolution.
In 2025, the spotlight is on radio’s surprising role in tackling one of humanity’s greatest existential threats: climate change.
There’s something almost poetic about radio’s ability to persist against the odds. It has outlived cassette tapes, battled through the rise of social media, and remains standing even as artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content floods the Internet.
Why? Because radio isn’t just about sound waves bouncing through the air, but more about trust, immediacy and connection.
Now, as extreme weather events become alarmingly frequent globally, radio is proving itself to be more than just a source of entertainment – it’s a lifeline.
WEATHERING THE STORM
Imagine a cyclone is tearing through a rural village. The power is out, phone signals have collapsed, and the internet is a distant dream.
In this chaos, a battery-powered radio becomes the community’s only window to the outside world, broadcasting evacuation routes, emergency alerts, and safety instructions.
This is not a hypothetical scenario.
During last year’s rare flooding in the Sahara Desert and the devastating Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia, radio played a crucial role in delivering real-time updates that saved lives.
Unlike digital platforms that falter when electricity and Wi-Fi fail, radio frequencies continue to hum through the air, ensuring that crucial messages reach those who need them most.
Radio’s importance doesn’t end when the storm passes. In the long battle against climate change, information is as powerful as action. With misinformation spreading like wildfire online, radio stands as one of the last bastions of reliable journalism.
However, this isn’t a battle without casualties.
In a message from the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay on the occasion of World Radio Day this year, a UNESCO report found that between 2009 and 2023, there were 749 attacks on journalists reporting environmental issues, including 44 killings.
The truth is dangerous, but that hasn’t stopped fearless reporters from exposing corporate polluters, dissecting climate policies, and debunking myths that hinder progress.
“This is why last year’s World Press Freedom Day, co-hosted by UNESCO and Chile, focused on the importance of freedom of information in overcoming the climate crisis,” said the Director-General.
“Everyone has the right to access reliable and accurate information on climate and environmental issues – but to enable this, journalists must be able to report freely and safely.”
She added that this is also why UNESCO recently launched its Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, together with the United Nations (UN) and the Federative Republic of Brazil.
“This initiative will help promote and defend the integrity of information on climate change, through not only research funding, but also advocacy, diplomacy and strategic action.”
WHY RADIO STILL WINS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
In an era of flashy visuals and short attention spans, it’s easy to underestimate radio. But let’s not forget its secret weapon: accessibility.
Unlike social media, which requires smartphones and data plans, radio speaks to everyone.
It reaches remote villages, inner-city buses, and the hands of a farmer tending to his crops. It doesn’t demand a Wi-Fi connection – just a simple receiver and a frequency.
Moreover, radio fosters something digital platforms often fail to cultivate: community.
Whether it’s a local station discussing sustainable farming practices or a talk show breaking down climate policies, radio thrives on real conversations, not algorithm-driven echo chambers.
Perhaps radio’s most underrated superpower is its ability to amplify voices that would otherwise go unheard. Community radio stations give marginalised groups a platform to share their experiences and solutions to climate change.
Indigenous leaders discuss traditional conservation techniques, fishermen explain how rising sea levels impact their livelihoods, and youth activists rally for change – all through the humble radio.
Educational programmes have also turned radio into a climate action tool. From tips on reducing waste to discussions on renewable energy, these broadcasts turn passive listeners into informed, action-driven individuals.
As the UNESCO Director-General said in her message, communication and information shape the world we live in – and we must ensure that the information we share and receive is reliable.
“Let us celebrate and protect this powerful form of media and its unique role as we work to address the climate crisis.” – Izah Azahari
