Editor, It is an open secret that Africa is most severely affected by global challenges. The scourges of poverty, disease, youth unemployment, hunger and famine have framed a common narrative of the African continent as a site of catastrophe and immense human suffering.
Editor,
It is an open secret that Africa is most severely affected by global challenges. The scourges of poverty, disease, youth unemployment, hunger and famine have framed a common narrative of the African continent as a site of catastrophe and immense human suffering.
A man is carried across a flooded Nyabugogo highway after a downpour in Kigali in the past. Such incidents have been linked to climate change. (File)
This is further exacerbated by almost barren policies on climate change and its consequences for the continent. Why are we stuck with policies that have failed our planet?
The effects of climate change are already threatening our nations. Our lovely communities, beautiful flora, fauna, cultures and families are of a great value to us and a safe climate future can help us maintain their value. Like we already know, Africa has the youngest population in the world, which puts its future at a bigger risk if climate change is not urgently addressed.
There are natural causes of climate change that we barely have anything to do about but we have the power to address human induced climate change beyond politics. Everything in Africa is at stake and requires collective action. Like we united against slave trade, colonialism and apartheid, let us also unite against climate change
In many parts of Africa thick forests are now becoming extinct, and many of the individuals responsible are not prosecuted.
Our actions today, coupled with the policies we formulate, will determine the type of world today’s children and youth will live in.
Dear African leaders, climate change presents us with a watershed moment to fight for a common cause; this is a cause we can all believe in. It is one of the few causes that supersede race, colour, creed, religion, nation, status, political belief or ego. This is a cause to fight for, for our collective survival in our beautiful continent on the only planet we all call home.
We need peace in Africa but Africa cannot be at peace with its people when climate change is displacing people and when young Africans are uncertain of their future due to the threats posed by climate change.
Tim Mugerwa,
Climate Reality Leader and President, African Youth Union (AYU)
Pretoria, South Africa