From extreame droughts in Africa to floods. The continent is paying a heavy price despite it’s minimal contribution to carborn emissions in the world. The climate action week that was planned by African Union and hosted by the Kenyan Government, intents to charter a way forward and provide political guidance to African negotiators, who will attend the COP28 climate summit in Dubai later this year.
According to president Ruto, Africa should stop looking itself as a victim, but a solution provider to climate change.
The situation in Africa has been stumped dire for humanity and animal life. While Africa’s per capita emissions are significantly lower than the global average, the continent has been disproportionately affected by rising global temperatures and escalating climate consequences. Drought, desertification, and cyclones, among others, are causing food shortages, displacement, and migration.
In Kenya, 3.5 million people are suffering from extreme hunger with death tolls in Somali recorded at 43000 by March of this year.
But Africa is a source of 60%of the minerals needed in the renewable energy sector and this can provide value addition through industrialisation which can provide green jobs , improve livelihood and restore the environment in Africa.
Africa’s abundance of wind and solar energy has the ability to power Africa’s development, creating jobs, protecting local economies, and accelerating the sustainable industrialization of the continent.
However, there is an unquestionable need for technology and funds to be provided to developing nations for climate combat efforts to make sense.
President Ruto called out banks to ensure equity and fairness in the way they allocate green funds with those who need more getting more.
In the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s recent analysis of financing needs, developing countries require at least $6 trillion by 2030 to aid in mitigating climate change effects.
The Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week, aims to weave a single, resounding African voice that will carry the outcomes of these crucial events to COP28 and beyond.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, said that the world is asking a lot and development needs to be carbon free rather than carbon intensive.
Morerever, It is a global responsibility to collectively work out how we fight the devastating climate change effects in the globe.
It is a common understanding that the discussions taking place here will inform the globe about the challenges, barriers, solutions and opportunities for climate action and support within the context of Africa.
