Strategies for Improving Environmental Information Dissemination
Several concrete actions are suggested for better implementation of research dissemination responsibilities by Alister, (2000). These are:
The need to identify and concentrate on key, short messages
To use simple, non-specialized and clear language
To target messages appropriately to different audiences.
Connecting with research providers
Identifying key audiences and needs
Spotting policy opportunities
Targeting research to key audiences
Counting researchers as a key audience
Ensuring benefits for researchers
Using outputs as a stepping stone to further dissemination
Balancing focused and general messages
Other strategies include:
Training courses for younger scientists and engineers who are becoming practitioners in environmental management, and more generally, teaching of undergraduates and postgraduates in universities
The transfer of researchers to positions in the user community, taking with them their innate knowledge of the research and helping to build mutual understanding between the research and user communities.
Target Groups of Environmental Information Dissemination
Target groups of environmental information dissemination refer to stakeholders, who according to Freeman, (1984) are any group who can affect or are affected by something such as the environment or environmental information.
In some cases, the targets for dissemination are those directly responsible for decision-making, in other cases research results need to be disseminated to a wider group of actors including regulated organisations, municipalities and NGOs (John and Jennie, 2008).
Environmental awareness is essential for both young and old generation and it needs to cover both urban and rural populations.
The beneficiaries at the grassroots level are as much a clientele for environmental education as are the policy makers, the decision makers and the project implementers.
Hence, according to Durga (2020), environmental education needs to be conveyed to these different categories of people;
Among students through Education
Among general population through various media
Among functionaries and opinion leaders involved with environmental management
The following are examples of target groups for rural public health information as provided by (RHIHUB, 2011);
Read Also : Methods of Dissemination of Environmental Information
State associations of county and city health officials
State Offices of Rural Health (SORH)
Hospital associations
Public health associations
Rural health associations
Caregiver groups
Universities and charitable foundations
Federal agencies
Community groups
Faith-based organizations
State and county extension offices
Schools
Local government
Health care providers/centres
In conclusion, disseminating environmental information is one of the fundamental requisite for protecting and conserving our fragile environment. As such, both government and non- governmental organisation should focus on providing information to the populace in order to create awareness on how tackle the current environmental issues at both local and global levels.
