AU vows to end environmental pandemics linked to climate change
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – The African Union has decried the rise in climate change-related disasters and pandemics and vowed to respond effectively through financial mechanisms which would enable local communities to deal with the rapid depletion of forests and farmlands.
The African Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Economy, Josefa Sacko said on Monday, the climate change pandemics were responsible for raging economic distress in most countries.
“Africa has refused to wait and die due to climate change. We shall persist on (solutions) through clear initiatives to build resilience. We are enjoying support from our development partners,” Sacko told the inaugural Africa Climate Change Summit in Nairobi.
The AU developed an action plan, the Green Recovery Plan, to promote initiatives to combat climate change and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sacko told the delegates that the continent required investments to deal with the impact of climate change, which include flooding, cyclones and drought.
“Climate change does not allow countries to recover from one crisis to the next before the next one strikes. The African countries are investing 2% of their budgets in climate change adaptation and 2% on weather response and 5% of their Gross Domestic Product on climate disaster response,” Sacko said.
Climate change effects, including regular flooding, drought and cyclones, mean that most countries are forced to factor in the effects of heavy water on the safety of homes and livelihoods.
Countries are also forced to invest in heavy infrastructure projects to curb mass water outflows, the construction of dams and the provision of water to previously pastoralist communities whose lives have been affected by drought and lack of water and pasture.
Addressing the ministerial segment of the Summit, Kenyan President William Ruto, said Africa had adequate energy solutions which could assist the entire globe to address the climate change crisis.
President Ruto said renewable energy solutions, which include solar, wind power and geothermal energy, were available within Africa in large quantities and could be harnessed at industrial scales.
The Kenyan leader urged international investors to focus on the investment opportunities available within African countries in order to address the impacts of climate change.
-0- PANA AO/MA 4Sept2023
