Escalation of Climate change has specifically posed a significant threat to humanity. Its compounding impacts are such a hindrance to any efforts put together to meet the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) amongst the African people. These have also considerably contributed to exacerbating rates of poverty, regional conflicts, and human displacement, with aggravated vulnerability and despair in the continent. Regrettably, we are still battling with the complexities of the perfect way of tackling climate change adversities in Africa. Believing it is not a one-off solution and there is definitely no one size fits all solution.
Adaptation interlaces multiple sectors, making us realize how unexpectedly difficult it is to execute innovative climate interventions in most African nations. Our immediate resolution could storm from African countries having a unilateral approach. For example: they should develop National Adaptation Policies(NAPs), Which strive to sprout a shared national understanding of climate scenarios, conduct detailed risk assessments, clarify on adaptation targets, with capacity building across local governments/districts. Our ultimate goal should be for all insights about climate change to be mainstreamed at national level, including : having multiple ministries(environment, education, finance) aligning development objectives with adaptation finance and resilience. Furthermore, our locals at the community level must be encouraged to equally come up with brilliant implementation strategies.
We are aware that the UN is responsible for the drive of adaptation progress through the Glasgow-Sharm el-Sheikh work program. It is meant to enhance countries’ capacity to adapt, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change. According to WHO AFRO region, 39 countries out of 54, report having NAPs in place , while 5 await approval and the rest are yet to develop their plans. This already illustrates that there is a substantial amount of work required to be done. But it has been singled out how insufficient financing for adaptation is a distinguished hindrance to implementation of these programs.
We shall also not stop to emphasize the need for a fundamental prerequisite of climate adaptation knowledge to bridge the huge African climate knowledge gap. Here, we must recognize and focus on Climate change effects upon collective sectors which could compromise the economical, technological, or ecological one. Climate data should exist in abundance, amongst people in the most vulnerable communities with no limitations of the internet or language. The Unification of climate activists in Agape Earth Coalition, is to vigorously advocate for capacity building, from the level of members of parliaments to local district officials. We are beyond convinced that this will definitely contribute to the acceleration of action toward climate adaptation
Even though the process of adaptation and building resilience remains indeed Africa’s current major priority response to Climate change, there is also a significant challenge of limited funding. Until now, the entire globe is aware that low developing countries are battling utter poverty. The repetitive floods and droughts have made the situation even dire, leaving our people with new struggles of food and water insecurity. This then reminds us about the urgent need of new adaptation methods like agricultural transformation to reduce its dependence on unpredictable natural rainfall or shocks from devastating floods. It calls for an immediate requirement to set up sustainable agricultural systems which foster cohesive rural societies, and national stability, in terms of a constantly increasing agricultural productivity. Here in, we again identify massive amounts of financing being required which most African governments can barely afford without support from the global North.
Now is the moment that we raise our voices as African activists , as a youth fighting for Climate justice on behalf of the vulnerable countries and communities . We are at the forefront, calling out for national and international Climate finance. We say, holding internal talks and agreements with negligible reinforcement of climate solutions is not sparing our people, or economies, or livelihoods or cultures. Climate change is a daily deadly nightmare. Our voices are to protect and shield the most endangered. We can not be silent.
This is , OurPlanet, OurClimate, OurFuture.
