We thank Denis Kongere, Policy and Advocacy Specialist on Humanitarian and Development in East and Central Africa, for contributing this call to action during the UN’s annual General Assembly meeting in New York. The CIHA Blog has posted in the past on the importance of understanding and doing all possible to address climate change. We have written on the intersections of climate change and eco-feminism, Christianity, and famine, among other things. We join Mr. Kongere in exhorting the UNGA to take action.
Why Climate-Informed Development Should be a Priority During the 2018 UN General Assembly
Guest Post by: Denis Kongere
The world leaders are meeting yet again at a time when both their governments and the people are heavily laden with complex policy challenges. The 73rd high level UN general assembly meeting in New York offers not only a platform but also a critical moment for the world to reflect, debate and provide solutions to global and local policy challenges. From peace and stability to migration and refugees to education to global health and youth unemployment. However, in this endless list, the situation of climate change disturbs many. Echoing the recent words of UN Secretary General, Climate Change is the defining issue of our time. On the margins of this years’ event, side event on Climate week will take place.
Why it Matters Now Than Ever
Globally, climate and weather patterns have become unpredictable with climate related hazards from droughts to floods, cyclones to wild fires continue to negatively impact communities disproportionately. Poor communities are hit the hardest and pushed deeper into the poverty trap. Not only because they are vulnerable but because they lack resources and receive minimal support from their families, financial systems and governments for protection, coping and adaptation. As recent evidence continue to warn us of harsh climate and weather patterns ahead, the recent World Bank report – Shock Waves: Managing the impact of climate change on poverty– warns that over the next 15 years, 100 million people will be pushed to poverty due to climate change alone –Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia- will be worst hit.
Similarly, growing body of evidence has linked the worsening impacts of climate change to extreme hunger, Non-Communicable diseases, forced migration and conflict and instability. For instance, World Bank report –Ground well –Preparing for internal climate migration– estimates that 140 million people would be forcefully moved by 2050 while the state of food security and Nutrition report signaled us that the level of world population faced with hunger has ballooned to 821 million. These statistics are highly horrifying and devastating! This therefore calls for the world leaders to approach this assembly with climate-informed mind-set. What this means is that, leaders must move beyond declarations and re-affirmations to accelerating climate change actions in their countries and continents.
Accelerate Climate-Informed Development Actions
Positive gains have been witnessed in the recent past. From the annual Climate Change Conferences to the recent commitments of Billions of dollars by Philanthropies during the recent Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. These efforts cannot pass unappreciated. However, we need honest, climate informed and accelerated global, continental, national and local commitments fight climate change. Unless we take bold steps such as condemning the use of fossil fuels for the world to stand a chance of avoiding the deadly impact of climate change. Strengthening global commitment is critical in this fight. UNGA already provides this platform for world leaders to brainstorm and institutionalize climate change into decision making.