solutions to climate change in cameroon

The co-benefits target of 28% by 2020 was established as part of the Bank Group’s First Climate Change Action Plan, covering 2016-2020. The young, it seems, express tremendous courage because they don't know what cannot be done. A startling new report on climate change was released in early 2014. Cities around the world are the “main cause of climate change” but can also offer a part of the solution to reducing the harmful greenhouses gases that are causing global temperatures to rise ... a slum area in the middle of Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé. First, readers of this column will note that I take a particular interest in the impacts of climate change that are being felt at regional or national levels. Let's hope that's the case and let's support their efforts. First, we must recognize that climate change is a global problem. Cities use a large proportion of the world’s energy supply and are responsible for around 70 per cent of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions which trap heat and result in the warming of Earth. And in addition to the long-term solutions that require a change in the way our economies operate, we can all make personal choices to alter our lifestyle and consumption patterns. Our expanding cities, towns and villages can create buildings and infrastructure that are highly energy efficient and designed with the local climate in mind using innovative technologies. Levels of carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas, are at the highest levels ever, mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels for energy. Over half of the world’s population lives in cities, and this is likely to increase to over two thirds by 2030. The reason for this is threefold. Fortunately, there is extensive literature available about observed changes or expected changes to climate and weather in and around Cameroon. Students are required to undertake entrepreneurial projects on issues related to sustainable development. Our carbon pollution will have impacts all over the world - including here in Aotearoa New Zealand. UN-Habitat/Julius Mwelu, An informal settlement in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. UN News asked the UN-Habitat Executive Director what role cities should play in slowing down climate change. Cities: a 'cause of and solution to' climate change. Modern cooking solutions are vital to combating global climate change and reducing environmental degradation. The huge carbon footprint created by our cities results from poor planning and layout. When I see what is happening at a small Cameroonian university that almost no one has heard of, I get encouraged. The latest example of how devastating climate change risks can be … At 475,440 km 2 (183,570 sq mi), Cameroon is the world's 53rd largest country. Cameroon is a tropical country that receives a significant amount of daily sunshine and experiences a high generation rate of bio-residues, especially from agricultural activities. Ms. Sharif will be joining world leaders at United Nations headquarters in New York next week at the Climate Action Summit convened by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The new 35% average co-benefits target will be embedded in the Second Climate Change Action Plan, which will cover 2021-2025. Since 2009, the cost of renewable electricity has dropped both for solar and wind power and will keep going down as more of us use them. Well designed, compact, walkable cities with good public transport greatly reduce our per capita carbon footprint and are key to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals of which climate action is a key part. It is slightly larger than the nation of Sweden and US state of California. The 2019 Global Commission on Adaptation Report shows that investing US$1.8 trillion in climate adaptation can generate US$7.1 trillion in total benefits. The authors reported that since a large majority of the poor of Cameroon (and a significant percentage of the national GDP) work in agriculture, Cameroon as a nation is particularly sensitive to some of the changes we expect to see as the world warms. More recent work confirms the vulnerability of Cameroon's forests to climate change. In Cameroon, CARE works in three main areas: (1) effective, sustainable and inclusive economic development for youth and women, including climate change; (2) […] "Farmers in this region are dependent on rain-fed agriculture and have observed erratic rainfall patterns and intensity which adversely affect agricultural activities and their livelihoods. It is comparable in size to Papua New Guinea.Cameroon's landmass is 472,710 km 2 (182,510 sq mi), with 2,730 km 2 (1,050 sq mi) of water.. the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, not caused the problem but may be impacted more significantly. The Country Programme also integrates risks from climate change into its own work, while influencing key local and national adaptation planning processes with a view to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and increasing the contribution of adaptation to the Cameroon … For instance, some studies that focus on the impacts of climate change on the water cycle project that increases in rainfall and evaporation from lakes, rivers, oceans, and plants will have impacts that must be considered in future development planning. The effects of the recent changes in the planet’s climate, as well as expected future climate risks have pushed about a thousand cities worldwide to declare a climate emergency. They can manage this by becoming more energy efficient and using renewable energy sources. However, given their role as hubs of innovation and creativity, we also look to cities to provide us with answers. I quickly learned that innovative ideas from the young and entrepreneur-minded scientists and engineers might serve as a role model for us all. Climate adaptation, whereby cities adjust to actual or expected future climate, is a sound investment. Reducing risks to food security from climate change is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. A man rides a bicycle in Cameroon; a country very vulnerable to climate change that it didn't cause, but developing innovative solutions to the … (2011). Living in Cameroon, a country at the frontline of climate change, I see people suffering greatly from the impacts of climate change. “However, where climate change impacts are too intense, another priority put forward in the Compact is to “enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration”. I have recently met the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, and other world leaders and we are committed to working together to ensure we build back better. The north has traditionally been isolated from the south, and transportation infrastructure is more developed in some regions than in others. Organic matter emits methane as it decomposes, which is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide in the short-term, so it’s key to minimize organic waste by improving waste management methods and to take steps to capture and use the methane emissions from landfills. This is because they often live in inadequate housing in fragile locations like mountain sides or floodplains, with no risk-reducing infrastructure such as functioning storm drains. The impacts of climate change on crop yield can already be detected in observed data (Lobell et al., 2011).Climate impact studies on crops predominate, but impacts on fisheries and livestock production are no less serious (Creighton et al., 2015, Herrero et al., 2015). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that the average surface temperature of the Earth is likely to increase by 3.2 °F to 7.2 °F (1.8 °C to 4.0 °C) by the end of the 21st century, relative to 1980-1990 (IPCC, 2007c). In particular, changes to weather patterns and how those changes are being driven by either natural or human causes is something I care deeply about. She told me. Emitted greenhouse gases do not abide by borders, nor do their impacts. Countries that contribute least to climate change tend to be the most vulnerable to its impacts, according to Samson et al. Modelled and observed mean and seasonal relationships between climate, population density and malaria indicators in Cameroon. And all of this brings us back to the university CUIB. Cities in developing countries also face barriers in accessing climate finance including a lack of focus on cities as a strategic priority. Climate change solutions need to identify and exploit synergy, as well as seek to balance trade-offs, among the multiple objectives of sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and adaptation policies. Loss of forest lands will lead to loss of animal life in particular. There, in a town near the coast called Buea, I spent two weeks with my family and colleagues, working with a new university (Catholic University Institute of Buea, or CUIB for short) but more about that later. UNDP supports over 140 countries to develop solutions to such challenges at country level in both adaptation and mitigation, to ensure climate change does not disrupt progress on poverty reduction and development goals, and advances low-emission climate resilient development. Such initiatives also require new and sustained funding sources. There is therefore an urgent need for alternative coping strategies to mitigate prevailing circumstances.". Melen, a slum area in the middle of Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé. In support of this effort, I recently traveled to Cameroon, which is on the western coast of Africa. Cities, while being the main cause of climate change, are also the most affected. Electric public transport, powered through renewable energy could prevent 250 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030, as well as improving people's health, and lowering noise and air pollution in our cities. This affects everyone. The commissions will be part of the cultural programme in the build up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which the UK is hosting in Glasgow in November 2021. So, how will a country like Cameroon plan for climate change and how do universities like CUIB contribute to those plans? In most of these countries such as Cameroon, forest can play important role in achieving broader climate change adaptation goals. Another study focused on the impacts that land-use changes and climate change have on Cameroon's forests; the study found future effects will be profound. Health impacts related to climate change have been given increasing attention during recent years. Those researchers found that while the people in Cameroon expressed a great deal of understanding and appreciation of climate change, the ability of the country to adapt to climate change was limited. Climate change risks are gaining increasing attention from investors, financial institutions and asset managers. Perhaps the most detailed study regarding Cameroon's susceptibility to climate change was completed by the World Bank, which related agricultural output to climate change, in particular to changes in temperature and precipitation. Initiatives included insurance for the most vulnerable, assistance for smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change, as well as support to prevent disasters. Thus, harnessing these available and inexpensive opportunities is required for the sustainable and economic development of the country. Maybe, just maybe, innovators like I've met at CUIB will be the change agents needed to preserve our future. Cities around the world are the “main cause of climate change” but can also offer a part of the solution to reducing the harmful greenhouses gases that are causing global temperatures to rise according to UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif. This can include early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and housing, and investments in water resources. 2019 Global Commission on Adaptation Report, UN staff support youth-driven global action on climate crisis, Ahead of UN summit, leading scientists warn climate change ‘hitting harder and sooner’ than forecast, Climate Action: It’s time to make peace with nature, UN chief urges, FROM THE FIELD: Turning waste into a business in the slums of Yaoundé, Cameroon, ‘Ground-breaking innovation’ needed in cities, where battle for sustainable development will be won or lost, says UN agency chief. The solution There is significant evidence that securing community rights to land and resources is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, preserve biodiversity, halt deforestation and reduce the harmful effects of climate change. Cameroon - Cameroon - Climate: Lying wholly within the tropics, the country is hot throughout the year; mean annual temperatures range between the low 70s and low 80s F (within the 20s C), although they are lower in areas of high elevation. F rom climate change to child labour, the responsibility for solving major societal problems is increasingly being shifted to the individual. People, species, and our precious environment are all at risk. Our focus on “Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action” is part of the larger UN-Habitat Strategic Plan to build climate resilience worldwide.". Cameroon - Cameroon - Transportation and telecommunications: The difficult terrain and heavy rainfall in the south have challenged the development and maintenance of an adequate transportation network. Dr. Asong Zisuh told me, "The mission of CUIB (the entrepreneurial university) is to prepare servant leaders with moral and spiritual values to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. Energy, building, mobility and planning solutions and innovations in cities have the potential to deliver major emission cuts. Climate change is bigger than politics. @UNHABITAT supports the development of sustainable urban & regional planning. To participate in the mitigation of global warming, Cameroon has decided to engage in quite an impressive balancing act. Climate change is usually described as an environmental problem, but the impact of climate change poses many significant challenges to businesses as well. I traveled there to find out what people on the ground observe. Ongoing student projects in the the School of Engineering include: construction of wind turbines to generate clean and renewable electricity; construction of a solar drier to help conserve local farm products; drawing building plans for local housing that incorporate energy conservation practices; developing concepts for sustainable management of solid and liquid waste by local councils; biogas production for small scale use; and production of briquettes from bio-residues.". UN-Habitat is supporting one of the nine action tracks designated by the Secretary-General “Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action” under the leadership of the Governments of Kenya and Turkey. A major health burden in Cameroon is malaria, a disease that is sensitive to climate, environment and socio-economic conditions, but whose precise relationship with these drivers is still uncertain. First, since Cameroon's annual temperatures are confined to a small range, the biological systems are less capable of adapting to changes that modify the range. Evidence is growing that climate change is contributing to the burden of disease. Climate change is the biggest issue facing the planet. Retrospectively, for someone like myself who works everyday on climate change, the slow progress can be demoralizing at times. Though particularly vulnerable to climate change, students in Cameroon are developing innovative technological solutions, A man rides a bicycle in Cameroon; a country very vulnerable to climate change that it didn't cause, but developing innovative solutions to the problem. We are urging governments to plan better and build back better. But we know the solutions. Globally, there are an estimated 880 million people living in informal settlements that are highly vulnerable to climate change. We urgently need to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by our homes and offices by moving to zero carbon buildings, which do not use any carbon for heating, lighting, cooling or electricity. Cameroon, just like any other country in Africa and the world at large, joins the fight against climate change. A new study shows that the expected climate change over the … "The campaign educates people about climate policy and provides a platform for them to vote on the solutions they want to see. Some areas are struggling with its effects, however, a … Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide, according to the UN Environment Programme. Climate change has been a popular topic of discussion for years now, because of the threat to our environment. We are inviting collaborative applications from individuals and organisations in the UK with partners from eligible countries and states overseas. Introduction. States are thus looking at solutions for people to be able to migrate safely and through regular channels, and at solutions for those already on the move. The least well off in our cities and communities will bear the brunt of climate change in the form of  floods, landslides and extreme heat. As climate change is projected to hit the poorest the hardest, it is especially important for developing countries to pay particular attention to the management of natural resources and agricultural activities. UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif (2nd left) with women she met during her visit to a new UN-Habitat settlement house in Turkana, Kenya. Of course, Cameroon can, and will, play their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I spoke with the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Laetitia Ako Kima. The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with modern economies is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. The extraction and manufacturing of materials for buildings such as steel and concrete and construction processes produce carbon dioxide so using low carbon infrastructure will also slash emissions. While climate change threatens most crops in Africa, its impact could be less on cotton cultivation in Cameroon. We will bring together young scientists, entrepreneurs, and advocates for a live event focused on the most innovative inventions, proposals and solutions to combat climate change. By this naïveté, they are sometimes able to accomplish what we old folks think is impossible. The Washington Post’s Climate Solutions section, in partnership with Rolex, focuses on the individuals working to find answers. 1. I know that humans have the capacity to solve our climate and energy problems, we only lack the will. They often do not have the capacity to face extreme weather events and have insufficient governance frameworks to manage climate challenges. At the climate summit in New York last September, solutions were brought forward to not only respond to immediate climate impacts but also to advance initiatives that will make people safer. Second, Cameroon is heavily dependent on agriculture, which, in turn, depends on climate. To power our cities we must generate clean, resource-efficient energy and move away from fossil fuels. These are opportunities to address climate, create low carbon communities & ensure livable cities. https://t.co/tP8hOSBO6W#GlobalGoals pic.twitter.com/GAgtUtCcZC. Huge gains, in terms of reducing harmful gases, can be made by changing how we plan, build, manage and power our cities and towns. Fighting climate change is vital to equitable global development and poverty reduction—and international trade can have an important role to play in this endeavor. 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