CLEAN-UP HARARE Story by Rufaro Matsika
Advocates4Earth in collaboration with Action24, IVYAM, AYICC, Eco-Network, Clean city, Harare City Council and the Environmental Management Agency conducted a cleanup campaign. Speaking at the event, SAYTRUST/Zero Waste Enterprises Founder, Mr Mufaro Dzingai said they have an awareness program called hashtag cleanup Harare which they are calling for the government of Zimbabwe to take action in cleaning up the city.
clearing the area, To their defence the residents said that they were paying waste collection rates to the city of Harare every month for waste collection but they were not doing their job so why should they be doing the job for them. This indicated that there is serious intervention which needs to be done in terms of educating the masses on environmental and waste management .It is not the sore duty of the city of Harare to manage the waste, it begins with you as an individual, to start being responsible and then the city of Harare will come and collect from the collection points. The city of Harare should do a better job in terms of waste collection, not to just wait for civil society organisations to start clean up campaigns for them to pitch up. The event was a success as we managed to clear both areas and the waste was transported to Pomona landfill whilst the recyclables were taken to recycling companies. The other great concern was that there seems to be lack of unity among the companies which are responsible for waste collection. For the solid waste management system to be effective all stakeholders should work in harmony since they both will be working towards achieving the same goal, keeping the city clean. When one entity decides to host or start a project the others should be backing partners instead of sabotaging them, it is not an area which needs competition because when a city is clean we all win, nobody loses. They should jointly work improving service delivery in Harare through refuse collections and clearing of illegal dumpsites and waste management awareness campaigns.
He added that citizens should embrace the sustainable solid waste management of separating system concept through the two bin system where one bin is recyclable goods and the second one is non-recyclable good and put hold to dumping waste anyway in the city. “The two bin system really add value in terms of jobs in the country, this system also reduce the amount of methane on greenhouse gases which is climate action and it increases service provision for Harare City Council, said Dzingai� However the city of Harare needs to put more effort in collecting the skip bins regularly to avoid a situation where they fill up and start overflowing. The situation at Montagu and Five Avenue was a result of skip bins overfilling, council not collecting and residents resultantly throwing their trash on the ground next to the skip. Some residents actually came throwing their litter on the ground whilst we were
UNRAVELING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE by Rufaro Matsika
Environmental and climate justice is based on the fact
that much of the worldwide burden of environmental ill health falls disproportionately on poorer peoples. There is also substantial evidence that much environmental damage internationally is the result of the actions of richer nations or richer groups within nations (Global North), with major impacts on poorer nations and poorer groups within nations (Global South). It is becoming clear also that poorer peoples experience multiple environmental harms, and that these may have a cumulative effect. The question is it then fair for the global north to demand the global south to reduce its emissions whilst they are still undergoing development even though they are the ones producing the majority of the greenhouse gases and developed through fossil fuel emissions? My answer is we all have to be responsible and practice sustainable development regardless of who was responsible, but the global north should have the curtesy and obligation of helping or assisting the global south
in having a just transition to renewable energy. The world is becoming more urbanized, and cities are the epicenter for many of the local issues of environmental damage and environmental harm. It is increasingly evident that cities are one of the main generators of climate change, and that the actions of people in cities in the rich world are deeply linked to the well-being of the overall ecosystem and of people worldwide (Stephens, 2007). Environmental justice is a concept that links the environmental health science to debates around rights, justice and equity. It fundamentally deals with the distribution of environmental goods and harms and looks at who bears those harms and who is responsible for creating those harms, in both a practical sense but also in terms of policy decisions. It is a radical environmental health movement that has evolved from civil society groups, angered at what they perceive as the `unjust’ distribution of environmental resources for health and, conversely the `unjust’ distribution of environmental harms. The movement now includes a collaboration of non-governmental organizations with environmental scientists, public health professionals, and lawyers, all working on the issue of the distributions of environmental harms and the rights of everyone to a healthy environment.
Environmental injustice explained in one picture, the world’s richest 10% have carbon footprints 60 times higher than the poorest 10%. +60% of carbon emissions are emitted by the richest 10% whilst the 50% poorest produce only 10% and the remaining 30% is produced by the middle income (Oxfam, 2013)
KNOW YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS – PART 2: ENFORCEMENT By Tanya Muzenda
As alluded in the previous discussion, environmental law
consists of all legal principles which have in common not so much their special character but the subject they regulate; the subjects embraced by environmental law being conservation, pollution control and land use control. As members of the present generation, we hold the Earth in trust for future generations, a principle widely known as sustainable development. Phillipe Sands defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.” Being that as it may, it is crucial to explore how the environmental laws explored in the previous discussion are enforced. Enforcement has been defined as the act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule or obligation in question. With regards to environmental law, enforcement occurs at various stages depending on the nature, rule or obligation in question.
(5) any association acting in the interests of its members; is entitled to approach a court, alleging that a fundamental right or freedom enshrined in this Chapter has been or is being or is likely to be infringed, and the court may grant appropriate relief, including a declaration of rights and an award of compensation.” The inclusion of this privilege in our Constitution holds significant promise for enhancing the enforcement of environmental laws. Every citizen is granted a right to approach the court to enforce their environmental right; this includes Civil Society Organisations that act in the interests of a group or class of people. Even more importantly for enforcing environmental laws, such access will be granted in cases of anticipated environmental harm; this allows cases to be presented in a preventative manner. Furthermore, the fact that courts are tasked with a role of implementing the environmental rights in the Constitution makes them want to become more knowledgeable in environmentally sensitive issues. This will see our courts becoming stewards of environmental protection. Section 85 (2) goes further to say that even if a person has contravened a law, that does not debar him from approaching the courts to seek relief of his environmental rights. There is thus no law restricting persons whose environmental rights have been infringed in approaching the courts. In addition to the Constitution, there are other several pieces of legislation that establish environmental rules and obligations upon which enforcement takes the form of criminal prosecution or in the form of civil. These shall be explored in the next part of this discussion.
...............Watch out for part 3......................
As usual, the first port of reference is the Supreme Law of our land which is the Constitution. Section 85 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that, “Any of the following persons, namely – (1) any person acting in their own interests; (2) any person acting on behalf of another person who cannot act for themselves; (3) any person acting as a member, or in the interests, of a group or class of persons; (4) any person acting in the public interest;
PICTURES: HARARE CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN
PICTURES: CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP AT HOLIDAY INN, HARARE
THE WILDWEDNESDAY INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH: ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
WITH NOMA DUBE
Advocates4Earth conducts wildlife-related interviews and discussions every Wednesday evening. For this issue we are publishing a discussion we had with Noma Dube (ND) of the Zimbabwe Elephant Foundation. Here she is in conversation with Sandra Masike (SM), the Advocates4Earth’s Wildlife and Conservation Research Assistant. All the Wild Wednesday discussions are available on our website (www.advocates4earth.org). To participate in the discussions, please contact Sandra via email on: wildlifeconservation@advocates4earth.org SM: Our guest today is Noma Dube, who is an advocate and campaigner for animal rights and welfare. Thank you for sparing your time from your busy schedule. Firstly may you tell us a bit about yourself? ND: Thank you it’s an honour. As you mentioned above I’m an animal welfare advocate and campaigner for animal rights and welfare and I’m also the Founder of Zimbabwe Elephant Foundation which advocates for a stronger future in co-existence of people and wildlife in Zimbabwe. The Foundation is an idea that was born out of animal welfare activism and advocating against the removal of animals from the wild to live in captivity through social media actions, bringing awareness and education on the reality of the trade.
social media handles so that people will learn more about it.
have a voice to speak up for themselves.
ND: Thank you. We are on Facebook as Zimbabwe Elephant Foundation Twitter - @ZimbabweElepha1 Instagram - Zimbabwe Elephant Foundation
Also challenges from governments that are not willing to evolve and change and find ethical and tangible solutions to co-exist with wildlife. And to quote Frederic Bastiat, “When plunder becomes Unfortunately we don’t have a website as a way of life for a group of men in yet, we are still working on it but we should a society, over the course of time have it up and running soon hopefully. they create for themselves a legal system that authorises it and a SM: As you have mentioned here, the moral code that glorifies it”. The main aim of the Foundation is to advocate reason why I’m quoting him it’s against putting of wild animals into because our Zimbabwean captivity. So my question is, as a foundation Government is riddled with what initiatives have you achieved so far? corruption and they turn the abnormal into normalcy. ND: As a Foundation we campaigned Especially when it comes to against the trade in live infant elephants human and animal rights. And as taken from the wild in Zimbabwe to live a Gandhi said, the greatness of a life in captivity in Chinese and UAE zoos. nation and its moral progress can We lobbied the Zimbabwean be judged by the way they treat Government by writing letters to the its animals. If the Government President of Zimbabwe and China, doesn’t treat our animals with petitioned The Cites Secretariat, lobbied respect how do we expect them to MPs in Zimbabwe, UK and the European treat its own people with respect? Union. In August 2019, in a historic vote, at the Cites Conference of Parties 18, a two SM: Recently there was an article thirds majority voted to stop the export of issued which stated that Hwange live African elephants outside their National Park has exceeded its natural range. This was huge step elephant Carrying Capacity of 15 forward in making sure that no more 000 elephants. So currently we infant elephants will be taken away from have between 45 000 to 53 000 their families and forced to live miserable elephants in Hwange lives in sub-standard conditions at zoos. National Park. And this has For the past couple of years we organised negative impacts on the ecosystem protests outside of the Zimbabwe and and also leads to increased cases of Chinese Embassies, protesting against Human Wildlife Conflicts. From the inhuman trade. It wasn’t easy but by your point of view what can we do continuously persevering with the help of to make sure that the population so many amazing people we go there in the of Elephants is maintained at the end but the journey doesn’t end there. required carrying capacity? SM: What challenges have you faced/are you facing in trying to achieve these great initiatives?
ND: So many challenges from people who constantly ask why we fight for animal rights and not human rights? My answer will always be we fight for both humans SM: That’s a great initiative. May you please and animals. We fight for those who don’t share with us your organisation website and
ND: Elephants are and will always be a migratory species but sadly, due to human beings overpopulation and encroaching on their territories elephant corridors don’t exist anymore like they used to so elephants are being forced to roam around in the same areas
.....interview continues.....
which gets them into close contact with humans. Having artificial watering holes doesn’t help much as they will always go to where there’s water and food so instead of migrating they are again staying in the same area. The overpopulation in Hwange is man-made. Until we realise as a species humans are the problem. Elephant corridors are the solutions to reducing the numbers and to reduce human wildlife conflict. Also human wildlife conflict can be reduced through educating people at grassroots level and supporting them. As well as finding tangible solutions for communities living with wildlife to co-exist peacefully SM: Interesting, and what’s your take on the issue of mining in the Hwange National Park? ND: The mining in Hwange raises a lot of alarm bells. For starters Hwange National Park is a protected area, how was it ascertained that coal was in that particular area where the Chinese decided to set up shop? They are other areas away from the park that are specifically set aside for mining activities. There is a bigger picture to this, and I believe it’s not coal they are after it’s wildlife they want. In this day and age when other countries are moving away from using coal and looking for cleaner ways that are less pollutant it’s surprising that China is still mining for coal
“Laziness has made our cities unclean. If we begin to work and act appropriately, we will clean our cities of any dirts.” -LAILAH GIFTY AKITA
EDITORIAL
Contribution; ALL Editors: Lenin &Natasha Contact: +263 719 678 928 For More Information visit our page Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter @advocates4earth or visit our website: www.advocates4earth.org
CONTACT OUR TEAM
Rufaro Matsika climatejustice@advocates4earth.org Tanya Muzenda tanya@advocates4earth.org Sandi Dube volunteers@advocates4earth.org
3rd Annual Youth Symposium on Human Rights and Socio-Ecological Transformation. THEME: ‘Adaptation.’ DATE: 12-13 November 2020 VENUE: Hwange, Zimbabwe
Natasha Kane press@advocates4earth.org Sandra Masike wildlifeconservation@advocates4earth.org Lenin Chisaira lenin@advocates4earth.org
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD GOOD CLIMATE NEWS OF THE MONTH!! by Rufaro Matsika & Amos Ncube 1. China commits to carbon neutrality by 2060 At the UN General Assembly President Xi Jinping has announced that China aims to hit peak emissions before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.President Xi’s commitment for China to become carbon neutral by 2060 and to peak its emissions before 2030 is a significant step forward in global efforts to address the climate crisis. As the world’s largest emitter, China’s pledge is a welcome boost to the ongoing process of countries elevating their climate ambitions in the run up to COP26 in November 2021. It both applies pressure on developed countries that have not yet committed to carbon neutrality and sets the bar for other developing countries. 2. World’s biggest cement company to cut emissions 21%. The world’s largest cement manufacturer, LafargeHolcim, has committed to becoming the first global building materials company to have targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTI) .LafargeHolcim has joined the SBTi’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C, committing to science-based targets aligned to the highest ambition of the Paris Agreement, with a long-term trajectory of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, “I believe in building a world that works for people and the planet. That’s why we are reinventing how the world builds today to make it greener with low-carbon and circular solutions,” the company’s chief executive Jan Jenisch said.
The global cement industry is estimated to account for 6-7% of man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually and is widely considered hard-to-abate, given its reliance on sectors such as heat and transport. 3. Poland closing coal mines by 2049 The Polish government and trade union representatives have agreed to phase out coal mining by 2019 .The agreement was struck on Friday in the city of Katowice, in the coal rich southern region of Silesia following several days of negotiations.This agreement sets out deadlinesfor the completion of hard coal production in mines and provides social guarantees to workers providing a just transition. .Poland generates most of its power from coal and was the only European Union state that hadn’t pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050. 4. California to ban gasoline cars by 2035 5. UK poised to ban gasoline cars by 2030 6. Airbus unveils hydrogen-powered plane designs This is a great step in the right direction. If this is achieved it will surely reduce negative environmental impacts in our lifetime. However, our efforts are more worrying especially when governments say they will do something but fail to provide the framework for success and wilfully dismantle the enforcement teams through cuts whilst taking part donations from the polluters. +50% of emissions are from the richest 10% (more than 95000€\yr.) which emits 100 times more CO2 than the poorest 50% as illustrated in the diagram below. Climate crisis is indeed a class struggle.
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