NGOs tasked to take action on impact of climate change
ZANZIBAR: THE Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been challenged to take an active role in mitigating climate change, already disrupting national economies and affecting lives and livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable in developing countries like Zanzibar.
The call was made here during the climate change sensitisation workshop organised by the Association of NGOs Zanzibar (ANGOZA) held in Unguja Urban District.
The workshop brought together participants from various NGOs in the region.
“Every person has a role to play and NGOs can contribute to policy formulation related to conservation, pollution control and sustainable resource management,” said the National Chairman of ANGOZA Mr Mashauri Shehe Khamis at the meeting.
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He pointed out that climate change mitigation involves actions to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, adopting regenerative agricultural practices and protecting and restoring forests and critical ecosystems.
Mr Khamis said that it has proved that climate change is caused by human activities and threatens life on earth including extreme and changing weather patterns and rising sea levels, “Immediate measures are necessary to avoid catastrophic consequences and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.” He said that in Zanzibar, already people are feeling the pinch with increased erosion at the beaches, salination of farm lands near beaches due to sea water intrusion and that there are many affected areas in Unguja and Pemba Islands.
Dr Salim Hamadi Bakari, environmentalist from the Office of the First Vice President, facilitated the workshop, saying that although the greenhouse emission in African countries is not as big as in industrialised nations, action must be taken to minimise impacts through a variety of measures including planting trees to avoid polluting the environment.
Dr Bakari Ali Mohammed, a participant explained that there are many people who have been displaced by the sea, from their original homes, “With some even failing to resettle due to lack of funds to construct new houses.” He advised the need to mobilise the community and provide them with adequate education on climate change mitigation including how to preserve their environment in order to restore ‘green Zanzibar through the green Zanzibar legacy campaign.” Paralegal, Mariamu Juma Simai argued that different diseases have emerged due to weather changes, including increased high blood pressure linked to warming, “We are not safe, we need to seriously mitigate climate change.”
