KISII, Kenya, Nov, 3 – A few days before COP27 whose theme ‘Together for implementation’, rings loud, – developing countries have crossed their fingers with the hope that developed countries will implement the climate fund to help them adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse emissions.
Due to climate change, African Countries are experiencing extreme weather patterns such as prolonged drought, floods, unpredictable rains, and the rise of sea levels which have affected millions of lives.
Impact of climate change In African countries
Communities in the Northern and Eastern parts of Kenya are currently facing the worst drought ever witnessed in the country in roughly 40 years. Already millions are battling starvation with children in some of the affected areas said to be combating cases of malnutrition.
Also, scores of learners have dropped out of school, with relief food that kept children engaged now becoming scarce. They have been forced to look after their livestock with hopes that their source of livelihood will survive the harsh season.
According to Kenya Drought Flash Appeal, the prolonged drought has left 4.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance while 4.1 million people are experiencing high acute food insecurity.
The Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) indicates that 1.5M livestock had already died as a result of drought by February 2022 and there is a likelihood that this number will increase due to the prolonged drought.
IPC asserts that Malnutrition has risen at an alarming rate, with at least 942,000 children under age 5 and about 134,000 pregnant or lactating women in urgent need of treatment in the ASAL region from March to June 2022, including 229,000 severely acutely malnourished children who faced an immediate threat to their life.
The IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis Indicates Mandera County was of particular concern, with the prevalence of global acute malnutrition at 34.7 per cent in March, more than double the emergency threshold.
Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Sudan are also facing persistent drought which has left millions starving to death.
On the other hand, out of 19 countries hit by floods in Africa, Nigeria is affected by the worst floods which have stretched to at least 33 out of 36 states in the country killing scores of people and livestock while leaving survivors homeless.
The United Nations indicates that 3.5 million people out of 5 million people hit by floods are Nigerians.
Nations had set goals under Countries’ National Determined Contributions (NCDs) and commitments towards remaining climate neutral by 2050.
Commitments To Fund Poor countries To Adapt To Climate Change
A head of the COP27 in Sharm EL Sheikh, wealthy Nations agreed to raise one bilion dollars per year for climate funds to help fund poor countries in reducing emissions by 2023, these countries also committed to double funding for poor nations to adapt to climate warming by 2025.
COP27’s President designate Sarmeh Shoukry said, Egypt is ready to host the conference whose goal is to move negotiations and planning to implementations.
“Egypt is ready to host world leaders, delegates and climate stakeholders under the theme ‘Together for implementation’,” said COP27 designated president.
COP27 is raising serious issues of climate financing as poorer and richer countries are expected to give different visions on working together in reducing emissions and helping countries adapt to a warmer climate.
Developing countries are pushing for negotiations that will see nations responsible for the climate crisis take accountability while compensating countries combating its effects. However, this move is unpopular among the industrial countries which are responsible for greenhouse emissions.
Kisii county head of the Meteorological department Henry Sese says governments will accelerate global efforts to confront the climate crisis and adhere to commitments to funding poor countries to adapt to climate change.
“Climate change is moving much faster than expected and pushing communities and their ecosystems beyond the limit,” said Sese.
Alarming Rate Of Greenhouse Gas Hitting New Levels
Carbon dioxide levels increased drastically than the annual growth rate between 2020 to 2021. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) a global atmosphere watch network station shows the levels of carbon dioxide continues to rise in 2022 across the globe.
According to WMO, in 2021, Carbon dioxide concentrations were at 415.7 parts per million (ppm), methane at 1908 parts per billion (ppb), and nitrous oxide at 334.5 ppb. The values constitute, respectively, 149 per cent, 262 per cent, and 124 per cent of pre-industrial levels before human activities started disrupting the natural equilibrium of these gases in the atmosphere.
African countries account for the smallest share of global greenhouse emissions at 3.8 percent while China has the highest emissions share with 23 per cent, US at 19 per cent , while the European Union accounts for 13 per cent of greenhouse emissions.
In Africa, South Africa was the most polluting country in Africa in 2020 with 7.62 per cent CO2, Libya at 7.38 per cent, Equtoria guinea 7.32 per cent Seychelles 4.99 per cent Algeria3.53 per cent, and Mauritius 3.13 per cent
Kenya’s National Development contributions (NDCs) in renewable energy.
President William Ruto reiterated Kenya’s commitment to transitioning to 100 percent green energy by 2030 to mitigate climate change.
“it’s not too late to respond and tackle this threat of climate change I ask everyone to act urgently to keep global heating levels below 1.5 degrees Celsius to help those in need and end addiction to fossil fuels,” said President Dr.Ruto.
He challenged African countries to lead the world in taking action against climate change with its immense potential for renewable energy by reducing the costs of renewable energy technologies and making this the most viable energy source.
The president noted Kenya is in transition to clean energy that will support jobs, local economies, and sustainable industrialization.
“We call our brothers and sisters to join as in this journey, we shall support a successful summit in Africa in Egypt by championing the delivery of finance, and technology needed for Africa to adapt to climate and impact support those in need and manage the transition,’ said Ruto.
Kenya’s commitment plan is moving the country into 100 per cent green energy by 2030 and reducing the country’s carbon print by utilizing solar, wind, hydrogen power, and bioenergy.
Currently, 73 per cent of Kenyans have connected to electricity whose main source of supply is geothermal power generation which supplies low-emission energy for a green recovery in the future.
The government has set up a number of projects that will boost its target of a green energy nation by developing Africa’s largest single wind power facility in Lake Turkana. The government has also invested in the Olkaroia Geothermal power plant in Naivasha, Nakuru country.
Kenya is at 90 per cent of renewable energy and is working towards the realization of full transition of collaborating with other nations to get support in achieving its goal of improving livelihoods by providing clean energy to its people.
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