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African Leaders Push for Strong Action on Climate Change

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - A pandemic has blanketed the planet. Economies have
   cratered. Across the world, people are scared, anxious and unsteady
   about the future.

   And you want to talk about climate change?

   Yes, say African leaders. Now.

   African heads of state met virtually this week to make a push for the
   global community to do more to fight climate change in Africa, arguing
   that this environmental crisis could -- and in fact, is -- making the
   impact of the COVID-19 pandemic worse in the developing world. They are
   pushing a bold, multibillion dollar plan ahead of a vital climate
   conference planned for later this year.
   FILE - Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks in Nairobi, Sept. 26,
   2020.

   It is hardly news that the pandemic has dealt a body blow to the
   developing world, said Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. But, he said,
   it has affected everything.

   "Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change and
   climate vulnerability -- a situation that unfortunately has been
   aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said, speaking via
   videoconference Tuesday. "Multiple systemic shocks are now
   simultaneously threatening African communities and a health crisis, an
   economic crisis, a food security crisis have all been compounded by
   this subject that we are continuously debating -- that of the climate
   change crisis. The impact, therefore, of the COVID-19 pandemic on
   Africa social-economic development has been devastating."
   FILE - Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba is seen in Libreville,
   Gabon, Jan. 13, 2017.

   Or, as President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon put it, in an evocative,
   poetic way that will seem familiar to residents of this vast continent
   that is larger than the combined landmass of the United States, China
   and Brazil:

   "Every day, the thunderstorms seem more violent. Flooding is more
   frequent and droughts more severe. Around the world, forests are razed.
   Crops are failing, people are being forced to flee their homes,
   becoming climate refugees. Sea levels are rising, potentially drowning
   cities and even entire countries. The oceans are turning to acid. And
   salt is penetrating croplands, causing further serious challenges to
   food security. Ladies and gentlemen, excellencies, Africa contributed
   just 3 percent of global emissions, but we are the continent which will
   pay. Indeed, which is already paying the biggest price."
   FILE - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health
   Organization, speaks in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 18, 2021.

   What does this have to do with the pandemic? Tedros Adhanom
   Ghebreyesus, the director of the World Health Organization, draws that
   line clearly. Although the continent has reported a relatively low
   number of cases compared to other regions, it has seen the world's
   slowest rollout of vaccination campaigns.

   "The health sector is one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of
   climate change, and the key priority sector for adaptation," he said.
   "Despite this, only 0.5 percent of multilateral climate finance is
   currently spent on health protection. Financing the overall health
   response to the pandemic and the climate crisis is essential to save
   lives and drive a social and economic recovery."
   FILE - African Development President Akinwumi Adesina gives a press
   conference in Ouagadougou, Sept. 13, 2019.

   These leaders are pushing the global community to put their money
   behind their commitment, with this plan, laid out by African
   Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina.

   "Our goal is to mobilize $25 billion for climate adaptation for
   Africa," he said. "The African Adaptation Acceleration Program will
   build on what is working and speed up the actualization, the African
   Adaptation Initiative of the African Union."

   That is not an abstract plan, he said. It translates to the following
   tangible steps: digital climate information and advisory services for
   30 million farms. A plan to build more resilient infrastructure in
   cities and rural areas. Greater involvement from the private sector.
   Greater emphasis on green investments. More jobs in climate-resilient
   fields for young people.

   It is ambitious, big and bold -- from a continent that is all of those
   things. African leaders will take this to the floor of the 26th U.N.
   climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.