The UN summit for climate change was held on the 23rd September 2019, where it put forth the intentions and plans of around 200 countries across the globe. The respective leaders spoke about ideas & visions being explored by their countries to control climate change.
What is causing Global Warming?
The global rise in temperatures is occurring due to increased heat-trapping gas emissions. These include gases such as water vapor(H20), carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrous Oxide(N2O), and Methane (CH4). The leading gas emitters in the world, according to Union of Concerned Scientists, are China, U.S., India, Russia and Japan.
UN Climate Talks – A step towards resurrecting the wrong
UN states that people should reduce greenhouse gas emissions if they want to control global warming from growing to disastrous levels.
The summit, held in late September, had many African leaders who took the opportunity to use the platform. The leaders expressed concern about how the African continent is the most vulnerable to climate changes. Most of the African population survives on agricultural income. Therefore, the global warming effects on farming are putting their means of living to risk.
African Countries dealing with Climate Change
Many countries have encountered cyclones which tore the African regions and therefore resulted in the loss of livelihood, and East Africa had drought conditions. Rising temperatures are affecting wildlife and their habitats like never before. The irony is that Africa is contributing little to greenhouse gas emissions.
Let’s take the Pledge to Save Earth; Hence save our Future Generations
Several ardent African heads of states present at the UN Climate talks took the pledge to reduce the emissions and invest in renewable sources of energy. They also promised to save their forests and oceans to prevent their countries from succumbing to the repercussions of global warming.
The Global Climate Strike
From 20-27 September 2019, a record 7.6 million people, from young to old, took to the streets against climate change. It was the most significant climate mobilization in history.
CLIMATE PLEDGES BY AFRICAN LEADERS
“Coal is the past, and renewable energy is the future”, said the African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina on the climate talks during the UN Summit. He rolled out his ambitious goals focused on shuttering the coal power stations and switching to renewable energy sources, pointing to solar energy practices.
Muhammad Buhari, President of Nigeria, has stated that the region is suffering from extreme weather variations, excessive rainfall, land degradation, and rising sea levels. Nigeria is the continent’s leading oil producer. Global Warming has brutally affected the food safety and survival of people. The president intends to develop a robust action plan for climate change control and diversification of energy sources. He will put the youth to action to plant 25 million trees throughout the country.
President Hage Geingob of Namibia committed to investing $5M in research for saving the oceans from global warming.
Preserve the Rain forests
Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has promised to reduce his country’s emissions by 17 % by 2030. He also committed to preserving the Congo rain forest, known as the world’s second-largest rain forest. It constitutes 57% of the country’s land area.
Gabon’s efforts for preserving forests and creating 13 national parks since 2000 have been acknowledged. As a result, Norway will reward Gabon with international funds up to $150M over ten years. All this, for reducing deforestation and preserving its natural forests. Rain forests cover Gabon’s 90% area. They are significant because they soak large amounts of carbon dioxide and slows down global warming.
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The African leaders were highly enthusiastic about their goals. They look forward to the Paris climate change agreement which is expected to be signed by December this year.
