The fight for the climate is at the heart of an international virtual summit organized over two days by US President Joe Biden in connection with Earth Day. On the African continent, signs of disruption are increasing.
The Joe Biden’s first announcements denote a desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. To lead by example, Biden announced that the United States would be prepared to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, twice as much as his old commitment. A position that signals the return of the United States in the global climate fight. But in Africa, the staff is elsewhere …
Of the 40 leaders invited to this virtual summit, five come from Africa: the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria or even Gabon. They gathered for this new summit “by the last chance”, and they intend to make Africa’s voice weigh.
In fact, it is already a question of adapting to climate change. Because the consequences of global warming are already clear on the continent: droughts, floods, cyclones and even frequent grasshopper invasions. The vulnerability of African countries to disasters has been highlighted by the health crisis, insist environmentalists who demand a sustainable economic recovery.
To meet that, it will require resources. A message that African leaders are likely to remember, as well as the $ 100 billion green fund promised by rich countries but never paid out. African countries expect massive investments in renewable energy and replanting of forest projects amounting to billions of dollars.
■ In Africa, “we must face the events that already exist“
Interview with Wanjira Mathai, Regional Director of the World Resource Institute.
What are the challenges facing Africa in the face of this climate crisis?
It is important to mitigate the effects of climate change on this continent, which is why the decision to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is crucial. But adapting to climate change is also important. This is one of the biggest challenges for Africa.
We must prepare for the crisis that awaits us and also face the events that are already happening. For example, the grasshopper invasion of the East African region, or the second largest cyclone in history which ravaged Mozambique, without forgetting the floods in the Sahara. There is a lot of work to be done to build Africa’s capacity to deal with all these events. We know that African countries and Africa in general have contributed very little to the crisis we are going through.
I think so the pandemic has increased vulnerability where we encounter shocks due to the disruption of biodiversity, which is linked to the climate crisis.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is one of five African heads of state attending this virtual summit. How do you see Kenya’s role in the climate fight?
Kenya plays a very important role. Its energy network covers more than 80% of renewable sources. But it is in the agricultural sector that we can do better. There are many women working in this sector who are dependent on its development. So we need to start taking advantage of certain opportunities, such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which allows women and other farmers to invest and participate in trade within Africa. But we can also do better to restore landscapes and protect forests and vegetation.
You are the daughter of Wangari Maathai, the nickname “tree motherHow do you continue his legacy?
I am very inspired by the work she has been able to do, by the progress she has been able to make to raise the awareness of the Kenyan public about the preservation of the planet. So much so that the environment has become a central issue. Africa is a relatively young continent, so I work very hard to ensure that efforts to replant trees can continue and that young people play a role in the future of the continent.
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