World Radio Day – 13 Feb: Why Radio Matters in the Climate Crisis

World Radio Day Still Matters

Every February 13, a powerful yet silent revolution takes place: World Radio Day. Unlike social feeds that disappear in seconds, radio remains a steady companion—reaching deep into mountain valleys, remote villages, and bustling cities with nothing more than a voice and a signal.

In a world battling misinformation, polarization, and the looming threat of climate change, radio continues to cut through the noise. It reaches more than 3 billion people worldwide, including populations untouched by the internet. Radio is the heartbeat of communication—timeless, trustworthy, and transformational.

And in 2025, its role is more urgent than ever.

The Story Behind World Radio Day

The roots of World Radio Day trace back to 2010, when the Spanish Radio Academy petitioned UNESCO to create a day honoring radio. On November 3, 2011, UNESCO’s General Conference adopted the resolution, and the UN General Assembly endorsed it in 2012.

The date—February 13—wasn’t chosen at random. It commemorates the launch of United Nations Radio in 1946, a turning point in using broadcasting as a tool for peace and cooperation.

Since then, each year’s theme has spotlighted radio’s evolving power:

• 2016: Radio in Times of Disaster and Emergency
• 2017: The Radio Is You
• 2020: Radio and Diversity
• 2022: Radio and Trust
• 2023: Radio and Peace
• 2024: Radio: A Century of Informing, Entertaining, and Educating

In 2025, the world turns its dial toward perhaps the most pressing issue of all: climate change.

World Radio Day 2025 Theme: “Radio and Climate Change”

This year’s theme, Radio and Climate Change, positions radio as a powerful ally in the fight against environmental crises. UNESCO emphasizes that radio remains “the most accessible and reliable medium”—capable of delivering independent information when other channels fail.

Why climate change? Because 2025 is a pivotal year. The Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C hinges on urgent action, and radio is uniquely placed to amplify:

• Scientific facts to counter misinformation
• Local voices sharing first-hand experiences of droughts, floods, and deforestation
• Solutions and policies that inspire community-driven change

Unlike digital platforms tied to electricity grids or high-speed connections, radio thrives in low-resource environments. That makes it indispensable in climate awareness, disaster response, and grassroots mobilization.

Why Radio Still Holds Unique Power

Radio’s relevance may surprise those glued to smartphones and podcasts—but its reach, reliability, and relatability remain unmatched.

1. Unplugged Reach

Radio works without internet, and even without stable electricity. From solar-powered receivers to battery-operated transistors, it ensures critical updates—especially in emergencies.

2. A Trusted Companion

Decades of credibility mean that when disaster strikes, communities still turn to radio before any other medium. It’s personal, immediate, and comforting.

3. Amplifying Marginalized Voices

Community radio stations empower underrepresented groups—indigenous leaders, rural women, youth activists—whose stories often don’t make it into mainstream coverage.

4. Combating Disinformation

With climate denial and “greenwashing” rampant online, radio plays a key role in fact-checking and promoting media literacy. Its focus on live reporting and dialogue keeps trust alive.

13 Ways to Celebrate World Radio Day 2025

Whether you’re a broadcaster, journalist, educator, or listener, here are 13 powerful ways to mark World Radio Day 2025:

1. Elevate your sources
   Rely on scientific organizations and credible climate data to enrich your programming.
2. Review your internal strategy
   Train your team in environmental reporting and update editorial policies for climate coverage.
3. Broadcast global perspectives
   Share climate success stories from other regions to show how challenges are being tackled worldwide.
4. Adopt an intersectional lens
   Explore how climate change affects health, migration, agriculture, and culture.
5. Launch a “Road to COP30” series
   Build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Summit in Brazil with interviews, expert panels, and youth voices.
6. Give listeners a voice
   Invite live call-ins or record “vox pops” of everyday people sharing how climate change impacts their lives.
7. Prepare for emergencies
   Create ready-to-air templates with safety instructions and emergency numbers for climate-related disasters.
8. Protect environmental journalists
   Acknowledge risks they face—harassment, misinformation campaigns—and create support networks.
9. Fight climate disinformation
   Dedicate airtime to debunking myths, presenting science, and guiding listeners toward reliable sources.
10. Encourage critical listening
    Teach audiences how to question sources and fact-check information.
11. Train your team
    Host workshops on climate storytelling, data journalism, or investigative techniques.
12. Set an emotive tone
    Use soundscapes of rainforests, rivers, or storms to emotionally connect with audiences.
13. Green your station
    Lead by example: reduce energy use, recycle, and integrate sustainable practices into operations.

A Voice That Listens—and Acts

As UNESCO puts it, radio has the ability to “shape the public agenda”. But its power goes beyond headlines—it forges emotional bonds that spark change. When listeners hear the urgency of climate challenges framed in familiar voices and local languages, they are more likely to take action.

World Radio Day 2025 is not just about celebrating the medium—it’s about mobilizing it for humanity’s greatest challenge.

FAQs About World Radio Day

1. What is World Radio Day and why is it on February 13?
   It honors the founding of UN Radio in 1946. UNESCO declared it in 2011, and the UN endorsed it in 2012.
2. What is the theme of World Radio Day 2025?
   The theme is “Radio and Climate Change”, spotlighting radio’s role in spreading awareness and encouraging collective climate action.
3. How does radio help during climate emergencies?
   It delivers alerts, instructions, and updates even in areas without internet or electricity.
4. Can radio stations collaborate globally for this day?
   Yes—UNESCO encourages partnerships across borders, with joint broadcasts and cultural exchanges.
5. How can listeners participate in World Radio Day?
   By tuning in, joining live discussions, sharing stories, and amplifying the #WorldRadioDay hashtag.
6. What makes radio more climate-friendly than other media?
   Its low energy consumption, accessibility, and ability to operate on renewable power make it sustainable.
7. Where can journalists find resources on climate reporting?
   UNESCO and other media organizations offer training, guidelines, and safety resources.

Final Takeaway

World Radio Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a global reminder of radio’s ability to inform, educate, and unify. In 2025, with the theme of Radio and Climate Change, the world is called to action: to use this trusted medium not only to broadcast but to inspire resilience, sustainability, and hope.

So this February 13, whether you’re behind the mic or tuning in, remember: a single voice carried through the airwaves can change the climate of conversation—and perhaps the climate of our planet.