Why African youth are leading the charge on climate change

The climate negotiations of COP26 changes must consider Africa’s needs. The continent has been significantly hit by climate change which has led to floods, droughts and destructive storms becoming increasingly regular. African countries must now act to safeguard their people and make sure that rich nations assume the responsibility of their carbon emissions. It’s the right time that the southern part of the globe get compensated for the damages and harm caused by the climate catastrophes. Africa has the opportunity to prove that it is interested in the effects of climate change through participation with an international conference called COP26 conference. The time is now to appeal to the wealthiest nations to step up to address the issue.

1. Why is it so important that the south of the world participate in climate negotiations?

There are many motives for why it is essential that the world’s south is taken into consideration in the climate negotiations. The first is that the climate change impacts are disproportionately felt in the global south. The world’s south is particularly vulnerable to climate change since the majority of its nations are situated in subtropical or tropical areas. Many countries of the global south are heavily dependent on fishing, agriculture as well as other resources of nature. They’re especially at risk of changes in the climate. In addition, the global south houses an important portion of global population.

2. Why do some teenagers believe that wealthy countries should be responsible for massive emissions cuts and compensation for loss or damage caused by natural disasters caused by climate change?

Youth activists have suggested that rich nations should be responsible for massive emissions cuts and compensation for loss or damage caused by the environmental catastrophes due to a number of reasons. First, developed countries are the ones that have released the largest amount of greenhouse gases since the start in the Industrial Revolution, and so take on a larger share of the responsibility to the current climate crisis. In addition, they have the resources and financial capacity to make deep emissions cuts and provide compensation however, many countries in the developing world do not. Thirdly, developed nations have profited economically through fossil fuels. developing countries have often borne most of the impacts of climate change. Developed countries are responsible for most of the historical greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Which of the recent disasters caused by climate change that the global south has experienced?

Global south has been struck by various climate-related disasters. This includes floods, droughts , as well as wildfires. The impact on communities has been devastating caused by these natural disasters, such as the loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement. These catastrophes could increase in frequency and intensity because of climate change which can have catastrophic effects for the weakest.

Quick Summary

The majority of the developed countries have used the slowdown in their economy and conflicts in Ukraine as a reason to excuse their inability to combat the effects of climate change. The young climate activists of Africa have high expectations but very little demand for UN climate talks that begin this Sunday. Rishi Sunak is not interested in attending the UN climate summit after Johnson’s unsatisfactory energy policy and Truss’s doubts concerning net zero, is now our issue. A lack of enthusiasm from developed countries is not going to help the situation even a bit.