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Voices from Copenhagen
15th December 2009Ben Twinomugisha - Food rights alliance in Uganda
Q1. What are the biggest impacts climate change has had in Africa over the last 10 years?
The biggest impacts I’ve seen over the last ten years is an increase in short and heavy rains which cause floods and drought which disrupts food production.
Q2. What effect is climate change having on the average Ugandan family?
Most Ugandan households depend on agriculture to feed the family. And this is massively affected by climate chance. So this is all creating extra hardship on families. Their on income is massively Impacted.
Q3. What are your greatest hopes from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
I really hope we get an ambitious and forward-looking agreement that helps people back home adapt and combat climate change.
Q4. What are your greatest fears from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
There are too many countries pushing for so many different things which is troubling. I fear that the agreement is just a big grouping of words that actually mean nothing.
Q5. What is your message to the UK public about climate change.
We will get the solution to climate change when we work together. I hope the UK public see this as an important issue and join forces with the rest of the world to stop this happening.
Silene Bila – Action group on renewable energies and sustainable development
Q1. What are the biggest impacts climate change has had in Africa over the last 10 years?
Water – there is not enough water for even for basic needs. There has also been a big change in farming, this is due to the same drought.
Q2. What effect is climate change having on the average Mozambiquean family?
Food insecurity is the main effect on the average family in Mozambique. After which I would say it was the breakup of families. Many family members are deciding to move out of the villages to the cities in the quest to find work to sustain their families better.
Q3. What are your greatest hopes from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
I hope after these two weeks, there is an agreement which addresses the problems in Africa mainly around how we adapt to climate change.
Q4. What are your greatest fears from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
That the final result will not be enough to save Africa.
Q5. What is your message to the UK public about climate change?
Climate change is happening now, it’s important that the UK join forces to combat it.
Dr George Kasali – Energy and environmental concerns for Zambia and The Copperbelt University
Q1. What are the biggest impacts climate change has had in Africa over the last 10 years?
Hunger, poverty and disease.
Q2. What effect is climate change having on the average Zambian family?
Climate change is bringing devastation on livelihoods. 70% of Zambians live on what they grow. If there are constant floods and droughts then there is no food. This causes price rises on the foods that are available. In Zambia we spend 60% of our income on food, either growing or buying it. Inflated prices means there will be a lot of malnutrition.
Q3. What are your greatest hopes from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
The developed countries should realise their capabilities. I hope they will facilitate the transfer of technology to developing countries which will help us obtain an adequate standard of living.
Q4. What are your greatest fears from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
The pledges that have been made for years stay as pledges and nothing is done to implement them.
Q5. What is your message to the UK public about climate change.
Ensure that your politicians make decisions that help developing countries, then keep lobbying them until their promises happens.
Johannes Chigwada – Climate change and sustainable development network trust, Zimbabwe
Q1. What are the biggest impacts climate change has had in Africa over the last 10 years?
The biggest is the reduction in power generation from hydropower. I would also say the shortening of the rainy season; rain used to come in October now it comes in November.
Q2. What effect is climate change having on the average Zimbabwean family?
Food production has been reduced; plus the average Zimbabwean family is losing their animals, which is impacting on their income.
Q3. What are your greatest hopes from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
That there is a deal that saves Africa.
Q4. What are your greatest fears from the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen?
They will come up with a political declaration without timelines or a binding agreement.
Q5. What is your message to the UK public about climate change.
You were right to be very angry about the financial crisis and the bailing out of the banks which cost so much money, use that same energy to be angry at climate change and unite with the world to defeat this.