Red pill Africa must swallow on climate change

Africans are feeling the pain of climate change yet they contribute very little in terms of emissions. It’s time for Africa to rethink on its adaptation measures without depending on developed countries.

COP27 indeed had very little to be happy about. To a larger extend, Africa’s grievances fell on deaf ears of the developed countries. It’s even sad that the conversation at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt had little room to talk about implementation of COP26 agreements which were more promising in terms helping people who are hard hit by deteriorating climatic conditions. It’s therefore time for Africa to search within its boundaries for ways and resources to mitigate climate change affects.

Some of the agreements at Sharm El-Sheikh includes phasing out the use of fossil fuels, setting up of new funding for assisting developing countries to respond to losses and damages staged by climate change, identifying of gaps and opportunities to reduce emission among others. However, several countries expressed concerns that keeping global warming below 1.5 °C might not be feasible. This adds to the many problems bedeviling the world ushering in other catastrophic climate conditions which includes massive melting of ice in the Arctic region causing floods in the coastal towns and cities.

For developed countries they have resources to respond and even cushion their citizens from harsh climatic conditions which includes provision of food, water, shelter among other things. On the other hand Africa lacks sufficient resources to do so. They depend on developed countries to offer them grants and humanitarian aid money which is never sustainable.

Setting up of a fund to help developing countries to respond to climate change losses and damages as agreed in COP27 is not a new thing. Similar agreement was appended in Glasgow, Scotland at COP26. I don’t want to be a pessimist but it’s good to call a spade a spade not a big spoon that these measures are not sustainable and it’s time for Africa to rise on its feet and find ways to deal with climate crisis. To quote Chinua Achebe, “Societies are built around it’s core realities not on intellectual abstractions.” Therefore, as Africans let learn to solve our problems.

One of the key steps that Kenya and Africa in general must take is to educate its population on climate change and how to act on it. It’s unfortunate that many people across Africa have no idea as to why there’s long droughts that has never been witnessed before. Some believe that it’s natural calamity when in reality it’s caused by pollution. Enlightened person is able to make logical decisions and daily basis and it’s no exceptions on climate change mitigation measures. Educating the people is so important. It gives them a clear understanding of the world and help them to act in way that does not exacerbate climate change. It will help them appreciate the measures taken to conserve the environment and gives them the reason to collaborate.

Food insecurity have been staged by droughts and the best remedy is to start irrigation schemes. These will help in fighting hunger and ensure the country is food secure. It’s the best investment that a nation can make in this era where weather patterns are very unpredictable.

Many other measures including planting of trees and protection of natural habitats will go hand in hand in fighting climate change. The governments have to take serious measures to create awareness among its population. It should also understand that overdependence on developed countries for aid is retrogressive and unsustainable. The aid from developed countries should come second or third and priority be directed to how we as Africa can deal with this menace called climate change and cushion people from its detrimental effects. That’s the red pill that I place for Africa to swallow and know the truth even though it’s imperfect truth.