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The Solution to Climate Change? : Human action!
Addressing climate change is a global effort. Individual actions, while important, need to be complemented by collective actions at all levels of society. Collaboration among governments, businesses, communities and individuals is crucial to effectively mitigate and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Key takeaways from the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022 are to establish a dedicated fund for loss and damage associated with the catastrophic effects of climate change, limiting global warming to around 1.5 degrees Celsius, accountability for commitments made by businesses and institutions,
more financial support for developing countries and the implementation of pledges made.
“The answer is in our hands and the clock is ticking. We are in the fight of our lives and we are losing: greenhouse gas emissions keep increasing, global temperatures keep rising and our planet is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible,” United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres said. Ahead of this year’s gathering, scheduled to take place at Expo City in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 30 November until 12 December, Guterres said human activity is the cause of the climate problem and emphasised that human action must be the solution.
According to a UN report, the seven biggest emitters – China, the USA, India, the EU, Indonesia, the Russian Federation and Brazil – accounted for around half of all global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. Tackling climate change is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires coordinated efforts at individual, community, national and global levels.
KEY STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS THAT CAN HELP ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to clean energy
• Shift from fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower.
• Improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation and industry to reduce energy consumption.
• Use public transport, carpool, bike or walk whenever possible.
• Reduce waste
• Implement sustainable agricultural practices that reduce emissions and improve soil health.
• Plant trees and restore forests to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Protect wetlands and oceans
• Transition to sustainable lifestyles
• Choose sustainable travel
• Support policies and legislation that promote renewable energy, reduction of emissions and climate resilience.
• Elect leaders who prioritise climate action and hold them accountable for their promises.
• Stay informed about climate change issues and solutions.
• Share knowledge about climate change and promote sustainable practices in your community.
• Prepare for the impacts of climate change by building resilience in your community, such as flood protection, disaster preparedness and sustainable land use planning.
NAMIBIA’S JOURNEY TOWARDS A GREENER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Speaking at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly held in New York in September, Namibia’s President Hage Geingob said the country is attracting new industries that want to take advantage of the cheap clean electricity and molecules to be produced in Namibia. “One such pioneering example is Hylron’s Oshivela project which plans to use green hydrogen produced in Namibia for the first industrial iron production with net zero emissions. During the first phase of the project in 2024 an annual output of 15,000 tonnes of direct reduced iron is planned,” Geingob said. According to the President, Oshivela will be one of the largest primary production sites of green iron in the world and is expected to sequester 27,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is equivalent to 50% of Namibia’s entire power industry today. Before returning to Namibia, President Geingob stopped over in France to deliver a lecture at the
Paris Institute of Political Studies, also known as Sciences Po, on various topics including climate change. He highlighted Namibia’s ambition to lead the fight against climate change, including mineral beneficiation and value-addition. “This agenda now holds the potential to secure muchneeded energy for Namibia’s sustainable economic and social development. We aim to position Namibia to provide clean, affordable energy to the global economy through the production of green hydrogen,” President Geingob said.
Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, a joint venture between the Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L) and CMB.TECH, started with the construction of Africa’s first public green hydrogen refuelling station in Walvis Bay in September this year. The station will supply hydrogen for trucks, port equipment and railway applications. This innovative project will include a 10-hectare solar park with a hydrogen production facility equipped with a 5 Megawatt Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser and a 5-MWh battery. In addition to this project, a Hydrogen Academy will be established to advance hydrogen technology, boost local expertise and train future professionals in all aspects of hydrogen production and its applications for a sustainable future.
Human action should be the solution to climate change. Antonio Guterres
WORLD LEADERS MAKE SOLID PLEDGES AT AFRICA CLIMATE SUMMIT
At the Africa Climate Summit, held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in September, world leaders made major financial pledges. The President of COP28, Sultan Al Jaber, committed U$4.5 billion on behalf of the United Arab Emirates to help African countries accelerate clean-energy initiatives. According to a statement by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Al Jaber said he expected the U$4.5 billion to catalyse “at least an additional U$12.5 billion from multilateral public and private sources.” The US administration pledged U$3 billion annually for adaptation under the PREPARE initiative, with an additional U$30 million to support climate-resilient food security efforts across Africa. The statement also announced that the first $20 million would be allocated to the African Adaptation Initiative for its Food Security Accelerator. “The AfDB is committed to providing U$25 billion toward climate financing by 2025,” AfDB President Akinwumi A. Adesina said.
He further pointed out that the bank together with the Global Centre on Adaptation has launched the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), the largest such initiative in the world, and is also implementing the U$20 billion Desert to Power initiative to harness solar power and deliver electricity to 250 million people.In addition, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called for a reform of the global financial architecture to meet Africa’s needs of at least U$1.3 billion a year to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030.
