“The Impact of Media and Communication on Climate Awareness in Twin Cities”
International Online Conference – March 19, 2025
SUSCOMNET – Sustainable Cities – Sustainable Communities (Project ID: 101138675)
“The Impact of Media and Communication on Climate Awareness” international online conference took place on March 19, 2025, within the framework of the SUSCOMNET project. The event examined the correlations between sustainability and community awareness-raising, with a particular focus on the role of communication and media in spreading climate-conscious thinking and activating local communities.
The conference was opened by Edit Hajnal, the project's marketing and PR expert and the moderator of the event. In her introduction, she emphasized that conscious, authentic, and consistent communication is of decisive importance in shaping sustainable urban communities, as it is capable of strengthening social participation, shaping everyday decisions, and promoting the spread of responsible behavioral patterns.
The presentations provided a comprehensive overview of the relationship between climate awareness and communication, integrating the experiences and perspectives of various fields—including media, healthcare, education, local government, water management, and civil initiatives.
- Tamás Szilágyi (PTE–KPVK) analyzed the challenges arising in the era of information overload (information noise) and pointed out how the media can become a credible source of information in strengthening climate-conscious attitudes.
- Judit Konrád, manager of the Miercurea Ciuc County Emergency Hospital, presented the sustainability aspects of healthcare communication and the role of a responsible institutional perspective.
- László Becsei, director general of the Békés County Central Hospital, outlined the measures and operational solutions that strengthen the hospital's environmental responsibility.
- Róbert Molnár (Zrenjanin, Serbia) analyzed the communication practices concerning climate change in Serbia, with a particular focus on urban examples from Zrenjanin.
- György Fodor, a teacher from Gyula, presented good practices for climate-conscious education by linking experiences from schools and civil organizations.
- Balázs Nagy-Laczkó, an archaeological heritage protection specialist, examined the role of urban green spaces in local responses to climate change, highlighting potential directions for municipal adaptation.
- Keszegh Béla, Komárom (Szlovákia) polgármestere bemutatta, miként épül be a környezettudatosság az oktatási intézmények működésébe és programjaiba városi szinten.
- Szilvia Beke, Vice Dean of Gál Ferenc University, emphasized the responsibilities and opportunities of higher education in shaping the mindset of sustainable communities.
- Bence Kiss, press spokesperson of TEGA RT. (Covasna), analyzed the impacts of social media on environmental awareness, also addressing the risks of information dissemination, mobilization, and misinformation.
- Gergely Lúczi, director of the Körös-vidék Water Management Directorate, explained the correlations between climate change and water management, pointing out the importance of hydrological adaptation.
- Ádám Olivér Illés, representing the Foundation for Sustainable Chemical-Free Ecosystems, presented the relationship between online communication and ecosystem services, highlighting the digital possibilities for awareness-raising.
- Fanni Dudok (SZTE–JGYPK) highlighted the significance of sustainability awareness-raising in education, with special regard to motivating and involving younger generations.
- Attila Nagy, sustainability expert, analyzed the media representations and communication dilemmas of techno-optimism, transhumanism, and "greenwashing" in his presentation.
Following the conference, a sister city workshop took place with the participation of the SUSCOMNET project partners. During the workshop, participants jointly reviewed potential directions for continuing the cooperation and prepared the professional planning for the upcoming project phases.
In summarizing the event, it can be concluded that communication and the media are key tools in strengthening climate-conscious attitudes, encouraging community participation, and supporting sustainable urban development goals. The conference contributed to deepening the professional exchange of experiences, knowledge sharing between partner municipalities, and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
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