“The global climate crisis is in the Intensive Care Unit!”
The statement was issued by Esther Syombua, the regional coordinator for Greenpeace East Africa, but it rapidly caught up among the participants of the third Climate Justice Camp, which has just been concluded in Arusha.
Young people from over 100 countries within the global south attended the Climate Justice Camp which was held at the Pan-African Training Center (MS TCDC) in the Usa-River section of Meru District.
The annual gathering aims to develop better solutions to the social injustices pressing people across the globe. Writes Marc Nkwame
Participants emphasized the urgency of addressing the global climate crisis by coming up with resolutions that will be tabled during the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in November 2024.
“Africa contributes less than 4 percent of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, while developed nations puff out the whopping 96 percent of the carbon fumes, yet our continent suffers most when it comes to effects of climate change,” participants lamented in Arusha.
Dorine Water from the Unguja Island of Zanzibar said unless governments step in to reduce prices of clean energy such as gas and electricity, most people on the continent will continue using dirty fuel such as firewood and charcoal.
Beanca Casto from Portugal points out that the effects of climate change not only threaten species survival but also take away all basic human rights and therefore the world needs to address the problem in unison.
The Climate Justice Camp is the largest in-person gathering serving as a platform for young leaders from the Global South, and this year the event marks its first occurrence in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The maiden Climate Justice Camp was held in Tunisia in 2022, followed by the 2023 camp in Lebanon. Tanzania hosted the third instalment at the foot of Mount Meru, in Arusha.
Among the topics discussed at the CJC 2024 include the road to COP29, energy transition, adaptation and resilience, plastics pollution, conflict and demilitarization, and gender and climate.
According to the organizers, the goal is to create regional and international networks and alliances that can advocate for long-term political change.
“All the previous Climate Justice Camps, experienced huge and active representation from Sub-Saharan region of Africa this third edition of the camp in Tanzania promises to be even more of a catalyst for unity and collaboration, empowering participants to build knowledge and networks, share stories and skills,” said Agustin Maggio, program leader of Roots and the lead partner of the Climate Justice Camp.
Over 80 percent of Climate Justice Camp participants were young people aged 35 and under, including vibrant change-makers from various organizations worldwide.