Agneds

What to Expect from the Western Africa Regional Upcoming Meeting on Climate Change, on May 22nd-24th

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Following the ongoing climate crisis, AGNES Africa is organizing a major stakeholder meeting to look into the agenda broadly, including finding solutions. The western African region has recently hit the headlines due to climate-related matters, with some like rising sea levels displacing hundreds along the coastlines. 

The May meeting will involve the parliament of Nigeria and major climate entities like the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the National Climate Change Council (NCCC). 

Nigeria especially has been worst by different setbacks. Its populated cities have the highest rate of pollution, 44.8%, which contributes to the country’s 10th rank in the continent. Additionally, Lagos ranks 133rd amongst the most polluted cities in the world. 

It is upon such meetings to address such factors, highlighting the way forward for the people of Nigeria and Western Africa. Human pollution will be looked into, with factory emissions resulting in unhealthy air and water in the cities of Lagos and Abuja. 

AGNES Africa is also looking to raise awareness of climate change through the meeting. This is considering that a large population is already suffering from tough economic times, thus not considering the impact of climate change.  

Therefore, the parties and entities involved are looking to have a successful meeting, especially in mobilizing resources for respective projects. The government should also actively participate, especially in funding and getting investors, to show their commitment against the climate crisis.

Africa-Solar-renewable-energy

Morocco Could Become and Renewable Energy Powerhouse for Europe

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Morocco is on the verge of a major move to solve the energy crisis in the country. The long-term plan is to export it to Europe, considering the natural resources available to generate solar and wind power. With Western nations started actively addressing climate change issues via renewable sources, Morocco is highly interested in becoming a major participant. 

Firstly, the Northern African country imports 90% of its energy, becoming costly due to the war in Ukraine. The 39 million population is at risk of power shortages, similar to the power rationing experienced on the opposite side of South Africa. 

One of the ambassadors pushing the agenda is the founder of Gaia Energy, Moundir Zniber, who states, “I think Morocco represents the best opportunity to get the European continent away from the dependency it has today on Russian gas.” The country’s economy, especially the agricultural sector, which he says can be solved by investing more in natural energy sources. 

Also, the country urgently needs a switch from coal, oil, and gas use for the project to succeed. The country’s clean energy sources are only a small percentage, with wind power covering 12.4% and solar energy around 4.4%.  

Zniber points to the irony of the country not utilizing its solar and its potential. “Morocco has one of the best solar and wind resources in the world combined,” he says. 

Europe is a great market for the country if the Moroccan government fully embraces the Gaia Energy initiative. It is a gradual process, considering other national challenges like the food and water crisis, which can produce 52% of the country’s power by 2030. Other sectors are bound to gain, with the country’s youth gaining employment, directly or indirectly, through their start-ups.

Morocco Climate Resistant Crops

Uganda’s Innovative Solution to Biodegradable Seedling Pots through Farm Waste Upcycling

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Uganda has been making strides in the agricultural sector. Primarily, scientists at the National Agriculture Research Institute, in collaboration with the University of Bangor in the UK, have devised an innovative solution to reduce plastic waste. With the traditional method of using plastic wrappings to pot seedlings, plastic waste has become a significant danger to the environment in Uganda, contributing to 60% of pollution.

The new eco-plastic potting bags are biodegradable and are made from readily available farm waste, like bananas, cassava, and cereal. The production process involves making these materials into a paste mixed with other products like starch. Then, the paste is dried and rolled into a sheet of biodegradable plastic for use as seedling pots.

This is an innovative solution that could revolutionize the agricultural sector in Uganda. The benefits of the eco-plastic bags are two-fold, as they reduce plastic waste and add nutrients to the soil when the bags rot. With upcoming mass production, farmers will benefit from the sale of waste for processing, contributing to the country’s economy.

The project’s success could also lead to similar initiatives in other countries. Consequently, this practice will help reduce the global plastic waste problem and promote sustainable agriculture practices worldwide. 

However, despite the advantages of the eco-plastic bags, they are susceptible to insect attacks. So, the researchers have developed a plant-based repellent in an attempt to solve this problem. The repellent repels insects and has mortality effects, killing some insects in high concentrations.

Horn-of-Africa

Horn of Africa: Urgent Climate Resilience Needed

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The Horn of Africa is currently facing its worst drought in 40 years, with the crisis affecting an estimated 50 million people. According to a recent study, the drought is not only the result of the prolonged lack of rainfall but is also fueled by the human-made climate crisis. This study reveals the severe and long-term effects of global warming on vulnerable communities worldwide.

While the Horn of Africa experiences extended dry periods punctuated by short, intense rainfall, the drought has continued for five consecutive seasons. The study by the World Weather Attribution group found that the region’s soil and pasture have become much drier due to increased evaporation caused by higher temperatures driven by global heating. This has been further impacted by a lack of rainfall, making the situation even more severe.

The long rainy season, which typically occurs from March to May and provides most of the yearly rainfall in the region, is now twice as likely to experience low rainfall due to climate change. This has made the situation even more challenging for communities that rely on agriculture and pastoralism. 

Additionally the ongoing conflict, displacement, and poverty in the region, is making it more challenging for communities to cope with the drought’s impacts. For instance, some areas might receive more immigrants due to the continued unrest in Sudan, regardless of the current ceasefire. This will put stress to the few resources available.

There is an urgent need for immediate action to address the human-made climate crisis. The region does receive less attention regarding the climate agenda, a wake up call for the respective governments and the AU.  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing weather patterns is crucial to preventing future droughts and other extreme weather events. So, urgent investment in resilience-building measures is necessary to ensure vulnerable communities can withstand future impacts.

Nakuru

Is a New African Coastline Forming?

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Areas of Nakuru county, Kiamunyi location, and Mai Mahiu in Kenya have recorded massive cracks as a result of SOMALI TECTONIC PLATE movements. The Eastward motion has been happening gradually and is connected to an earthquake in Ethiopia in 2005. 

Geologists say this could lead to a new coastline stretching from the Horn of Africa downwards to Zambia en route to Mozambique. Therefore, landlocked nations are bound to have their coastline. In human time, we’ll have to wait for millions of years to see the entirety of this phenomenon. 

Nonetheless, it is a pretty short time for a world whose ecosystem is drastically changing. For instance, the continued long rains in Nakuru’s Kiamunyi area and Mai Mahiu in Kenya’s Rift Valley. The shift in the Tectonic plates is also happening actively beneath the ocean, perhaps giving insight into the recent Cyclone along the coastlines of Madagascar and Malawi. 

With continued changes in climate, effects are directly felt by the people, infrastructure, and land. Both the landlocked and oceanic regions should take necessary precautions considering the severity and unpredictability of the occurrence. For instance, the cracks were recorded along the Kenyan Rift in 2018, an earlier call for the nation’s government. 

According to research, the tectonic plates’ movements might not be a direct cause of human climatic influences but rather the Earth’s way of evolving. Nonetheless, we are also transforming through our tech, increased population, nuclear activities, and oil excavation, making mother nature respond faster.

It would be best for respective governments to rehabilitate some of the affected areas. Additionally, vacating residents is advised in these land-slide-prone areas before further damage. Most importantly, tackling climate change is a long-term solution to controlling the damage from such phenomena.

Climate-justice-now

Africa’s Journey to COP28

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The time is now for the African continent to actively participate in the climate change conversation. Respective nations and institutions are creating necessary projects and strategies to achieve a 100% green environment. With focus turned towards the upcoming COP28 climate conference, set for 30 November to 12 December, 2023 in UAE, African nations are determined to make their voices heard.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari in his recent speech on African Climate stated, “We cannot continue ignoring that climate change is a pressing issue in our continent. We should act by protecting our environment and secure the future for generations to come.”

To the delight of Africans, the continent’s climate entities are working to implement various projects to promote sustainable growth and reduce carbon emissions. One of the initiatives is the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), aiming to provide 300 GW by 2030.

Another example is the recent Great Green Wall across the Sahara, aimed at controlling desertification and promoting sustainable land use. This project involves planting an 8000km wall of trees and vegetation across the continent, stretching from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east.

This isn’t to forget the reafforestation efforts in different nations, like Kenya, initiated by the President William Ruto aiming to enhance the national tree cover by 30% through planting 15 billion tress. Nigeria, with the highest deforestation rate globally at 3.7%, and similar nations should follow, and recent developments are a plus. The change is also influenced by the recent integration of carbon markets around Africa; a move also projected to be a game changer.

Still, Africa faces several challenges including devastating drought and floods, which institutions such as the African Development Bank(AfDB) will showcase at COP28. One of the issues is insufficient climate finance, where International communities, volunteers and marketers are welcome to invest in the African Climate agenda. External participation is essential, with countries like Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar picking up the pieces from the worst-ever Cyclone, Freddy.