All Hands on Deck, World Environment Day 2020 – Humanity at the Crossroads
Human civilization has been put on notice. And the fundamental issue of our time is the climate crisis. This climate emergency integrates so many of our present-day concerns with issues of economic sustainability, energy production, and social responsibility We are literally at crossroads.
We need to seriously reflect on our systems of social, political, and economic choices and how best we are responding to the enormous problems that have been and continue to be created by this climate crisis?
We cannot limit ourselves to a single solution if we are to avert this climate crisis. It will require the rigor of scholarly input, a sober analysis of our environmental bodies, a strong political will but most important of all, a massive resounding and civic awakening in response to this monumental challenge. As the voices of global environmentalists develop a consensus on clean energy resources, countries like Uganda are just getting excited about the discovery of oil as an economic saviour. Therefore, a variation of solutions needs to be tabled on how to effectively respond, how to transform our organizational setup, recognizing the need for new ecocultural collaborations, recognizing interspecies codependency, and frankly, spiritual awakening to the dire fate of our "Common home."
Specific to Uganda, among many solutions, and in response to this crisis, is the awakening of not only the youth but also children as spirited activists in this effort. A lot more needs to be done to bolster the civic imperative of non-government actors in the pursuit of a better, cleaner, and sustainable environment.
As the world continues to get ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, we still have to maintain some semblance of civility and order. 5th June will see humanity celebrate World Environment Day with a call to humanity to respect Nature and its Biodiversity.
With a constant concerted push to keep fossil fuels in the ground, advocacy for alternative renewable sources of energy, and the urgent need to beat plastic pollution as well as plant more trees humanity needs to step up her efforts with precision and diligence. Without this concerted effort, locusts and rising water levels from our lakes and rivers will be the least of our worries.
For this reason, Uganda’s Little Hands Go Green in partnership with 350Africa.org, NEMA Uganda, the National Forestry Authority Uganda and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament in Uganda is hosting a candid virtual workshop about Nature and Biodiversity and our role as the human race to ensure it is preserved on June 05th.
This online conversation will start at 2.30 pm East African time and will be streamed live on various social media pages including the 350Africa Facebook page, Uganda’s Little Hands Go Green Facebook and Twitter handles as well as the NEMA Uganda pages.
Join us and let’s share our voice of change and reason with the very custodians of our environment.
By Joseph Masembe, founder and team leader of Little Hands Go Green.
People of Onupi and Nigeria do not need coal
“I want the Federal Government to intercede for us so our women won't experience miscarriage again". "If the government was providing social amenities to community members, then we would have never accepted the destructive coal mining activities". Those are words of respectively Mrs Agagwu Rachel and Mr Alfa Stephen, the chairman of Onupi Coal Committee when attending the civil society meeting organized by GIFSEP and partners like International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Heinrich Boll Foundation, Climate and Sustainable Development Network and Global Rights to mark World Social Justice Day.
The meeting was an opportunity for community leaders and civil society groups to strategize on the way forward in ensuring the voices of the community members in both Kogi and Gombe states are heard and to advocate for a coal-free society that keeps social justice and safety at the forefront.
The gathering was inspired by a research GIFSEP did last year to ascertain the status of coal mining and to identify the actors and financiers of coal mining in Nigeria. The research carried out by the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) in Kogi and Gombe states with support from 350.org was a response to the shift in fossil fuel investment caused by Nigeria’s yawning gap in power generation and supply, which prompted many stakeholders including the members of the National Assembly to demand coal-powered stations.
This research revealed serious troubling impacts local communities are now confronted due to the activities of Dangote coal mine. These impacts include the destruction of water sources contamination of alternative borehole sources, health issues like high rates of miscarriage. More detailed information about the research’s findings can be viewed here.
Community members of Kogi and Gombe states alongside others in Nigeria intend to continue raising their voices to ensure their right to a clean and healthy environment filled with sustainable prosperity. According to participants, the meeting was just the beginning of the journey towards a coal-free Onupi and Nigeria.
The largest day of climate protest in the planet’s history
In a world with rising sea levels, scorching temperatures, devastating fires and more pollution than we can track, we can’t afford to look away. Science and justice demand that we do more than simply address the symptoms of the climate breakdown. We need to build solutions that will not only keep fossil fuels in the ground but improve the lives of billions of people.
On September 20th - 27th, there will be the first all-ages global climate strike. People will walk out of their jobs — some will plant trees, others will join protests. The targets will be as diverse as the geography: in different parts of the planet, people will be sitting down in front of pipelines; demanding that their institutions divest fossil fuel stocks; urging UN nations to increase their carbon-cutting commitments; calling for carbon taxes; insisting on a Green New Deal. And here in Africa:
In Abuja, Nigeria: People will take to the streets to demand that policymakers make greater strides in environmental policies and laws.
In Cape Town, South Africa: Learners from around 50 schools across the city will protest the South African Government’s lack of action on the climate emergency. 
In Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo: local communities, civil society organisations and young people will mobilize around climate issues to inform the population about the climate emergency and call on President Felix Tshisekedi to adhere to national and international conservation laws, protect farmers and prioritize investment in renewable energy. 
In Johannesburg, South Africa: There will be a peaceful march to call for an acceleration of a just transition towards a low carbon, renewable energy future. 
In Kaolack, Senegal, Action Solidaire International is organising a climate camp that will be followed by a march to call on policymakers to stop the Bargny coal-powered station from operating.
In Nairobi, Kenya, Led by thousands of workers, students and youth organizers all across the country are coming together to let their government know that they won’t stand down from their demands for a shift to 100% renewable energy.
Many more people in Africa and around the world are joining the Global Climate March to demonstrate that there is a global movement demanding real climate action. Check out the website to see if something is planned near you already - or register your own event.
“Stop Procrastinating and lip-service, Take Immediate Action” Activists in Ghana tell African Leaders
On the 21st of March, 350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon took to the streets together with Ghana Youth Environmental Movement, Green Africa Youth Movement and other climate justice organisations like PACJA, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Friends of the Earth Nigeria to demand real climate action.
The action was amongst a series of activities by the 350 GROC team in response to the proceedings of the Africa Climate Week hosted by the government of Ghana from 18 - 22 March. The summit’s aim was to enhance engagement between State and non‐State actors in the key sectors of energy, agriculture and human settlements.
The activists in Accra clearly expressed their opposition to fossil fuels and carbon markets, saying that such false solutions have no place in the new dawn of Ghana, and Africa if we have to combat climate change and achieve the goals of sustainable development.
Before that action, a press conference was held where 350 GROC and its partners asked their government to stop the lip-service and accelerate the energy transition towards 100% renewables.
Although there were no solid commitments from the Africa Climate Week, 350 GROC committed to continuing to push the Ghanaian government to be ambitious and not delay the transition for a 100% renewable energy future.
- Rukiya Khamis
Organising for a new wave of people-powered campaigns in Africa
In February, the 350 Africa team brought together organisers and activists from across the continent for a 5-day workshop as part of the new regional campaigning platform - Afrika Vuka (coming soon!).
The main goal of this gathering was to strengthen the campaigning and organizing capacity of local organisers to run successful and impactful campaigns in their respective countries. On a continent where politicians and the extractive industry continue to spread ridiculous lies about the so-called benefits of fossil fuels, there’s a need to constantly re-strategize and ensure that our organisers are well trained and equipped to successfully challenge such devastating projects.
25 participants joined us. The following countries were represented: DRC, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. All of them are directly involved in ongoing campaigns and initiatives aiming at challenging coal mining, oil exploitation, extractive projects or championing alternative energy solutions.
During the first four days of the workshop, we presented Afrika Vuka, an upcoming campaigning platform connecting citizens, struggles and groups around the continent working to building a future that’s free from the destructive impacts of the fossil fuel industry. Five case studies from Kenya, Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Africa Climate Reality Project were shared to give an in-depth understanding of such campaigns in terms of recent developments, successes, challenges, next steps and how regional support and global amplification can boost such struggles.
Though the programme was rather packed, we managed to create open sessions to discuss some of the emerging themes, notably learnings from our past organising experiences and safety in organising, where we identified some of the common threats and risks experienced on the ground by participants.
Practical sessions on digital organising, storytelling, shifting the media narrative, building last relationships with reporters, planning and organising a successful day of action, research-based campaigning, engagement pyramid.
“Brainstorming, storytelling and interactive workshops were my favourite part to share experience and knowledge,” says Asmaa Hanafi, one of the participants from Egypt. “It was interesting to let each group present their success story to divest fossil fuels.”
We look forward to the upcoming moments as we continue to grow and consolidate the regional climate movement through #AfrikaVuka platform.
Sign up here for updates to hear when the new Afrika Vuka platform launches!
Break Free 2018: These events caught our imagination.
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In Kenya - Folks will be rolling out coordinated actions - Photo exhibitions, debates, twitter chats, and an “AntiCoal Khanga show“ in Lamu challenging women to use a traditional attire (Khanga: a vibrantly coloured East African cloth worn by women) to tell the African story of fossil fuel impacts.
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In Nigeria - People will be joining forces to talk about the easy switch from generators and kerosene for lighting to solar in a caravan around a college. A press conference with people from mining-affected communities, a renewable energy presentation and non-violent direct action training will also be held.
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In Ivory coast - Film screenings and community debate to denounce a coal plant project in San-Pedro, alongside a Twitter chat addressed to the AfDB - who are funding coal projects across Africa to reiterate that Ivory Coast doesn’t need coal, but rather renewables to satisfy its energy demand and accelerate its development.
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In South Africa, events range from rallies to workshops on climate change and the case for breaking free from fossil fuels, to people calling on the Development Bank of Southern Africa to publicly commit to not funding the Thabametsi coal-fired power plant.
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In Senegal - Civil society and climate justice groups, local communities, students and women groups are attending a large community forum in Bargny to oppose the launch of the first coal power plant in Senegal and call on the government to stop this project.
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In Ghana - 350 GROC is reaching out to communities in the Eastern region of Ghana (Dome, Asayansu, Kwesi Kunde, Fori) to mobilise on renewable energy This event is part of the ongoing campaign led by GROC to advocate for a rapid transition towards 100% renewables as a way of increasing electricity access to communities.
Why we’re Breaking Free from fossil fuels on the 25th of May
We’re gearing up in South Africa and together with groups from all over the continent to #BreakFree from fossil fuels on the 25th of May - Africa Day. With groups hosting events in many different countries, we hope it will be a day where we demonstrate that African people do not want fossil fuels.
This is why we think this work is so important:
- Fossil fuels are killing us. Burning of coal for electricity causes terrible air pollution which has been shown to be responsible for illness and deaths among those affected.
- Climate change is impacting our continent hardest, displacing people and destroying livelihoods.
Image © AlJazeera - We believe a more equitable energy future is possible. Renewable energy has the potential to put the power of generation in many people's hands, not only a few.
- We need a united voice. There are many African people and groups working to end the age of fossil fuels in Africa, if we all come together at the same time though, our voices are more powerful. deCOALonise.africa was started in order to do this.
What are your reasons for getting involved? We’d love to hear them.
You can help us by joining an event near you, or hosting your own event. Can you believe that our very own African Development Bank is financing coal-fired power plants all over Africa? Join us in showing them that we want to deCOALonise our continent!
Africa uniting forces to challenge the fossil industry on May 25
Coal plant bi dou fi takke. This is the slogan hammered by the community in Bargny, a village located 30 km south from Dakar that the 350 Africa team recently met on the site where Senegal’s first coal plant has just been built.
Coal plant bi dou fi takke means 'the coal-fired power plant will not get launched here'. The completion of the plant did not affect the determination of the Bargny and Sendou communities who continue to oppose this project.
In Senegal as in Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria and Mozambique where governments seem to be fond of coal-fired power stations, we are hearing and seeing this same strong feeling of resistance and opposition from communities, local groups, and civil society in general. Collectively, they denounce the so-called energy projects with disastrous social, health and environmental impacts.
Conscious of this fierce opposition from communities against the proliferation of coal-fired power plants on the continent, 350 Africa in collaboration with these same communities and regional partners is organising a Regional Day of Action called "Break Free from Fossil Fuels" on May 25.
On that day, communities, civil society groups and other activists will organise various mobilisation actions - from street walks to the community forums, field visits to affected sites, exhibitions and press conferences - all of them united by the same message : No to fossil fuels in Africa, targeting the existing and proposed fossil fuel projects on the continent.
Now more than ever, the time has come for Africa and its people to reject this type of obsolete energy, which is being phased out across the world. It is unanimously recognised for its major contribution to the ongoing climate crisis. Being the most vulnerable continent to climate impacts, it is inconceivable to consider a polluting, destructive and obsolete energy model in the name of development in Africa.
No, Africa does not need fossil fuels to meet its growing demand for energy. Africa has a wide range of renewable resources that can be used to boost its economy. This is the message that African activists are going to convey to their local and national leaders, as well as to international institutions like the African Development Bank that continues to fund coal projects on the continent.
The registration of events for Break Free from Fossil Fuels 2018 has already started and is still going on. We encourage you to register yours as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter at this stage if you don’t have a clear idea or plan in place - register your action and we’ll help you with the rest. We’ll encourage and help you plan powerful, public actions that pull the mask of respectability off the fossil fuel industry.