On a bright day at the historic Antoniades Garden in Alexandria, Egypt, 35 community members – students, parents, engineers, and local residents gathered to mark Africa Day. Organised by Green Society as part of the continent-wide Afrika Vuka Week of Action, the event brought together diverse voices to tackle pressing climate issues through hands-on art, planting, and community dialogue.

Organising during a busy season wasn’t without its challenges. Final exams were underway, and the major holiday of Eid al-Adha was just around the corner. On top of that, organisers made sure to honour local cultural and privacy preferences regarding photography, creating an inclusive environment where every participant felt comfortable taking part.

Planting seeds of Community resilience

The day kicked off with a symbolic seed-planting activity. Each participant planted a seedling to represent a personal commitment to climate action and community strength.

The action didn’t stop when the event ended. Over the following weeks, participants took their seedlings home, cared for them, and shared photos of their growing plants. Inspired by the activity, many began adding more greenery around their homes – a practical, effective way to cool down local neighbourhoods during extreme heatwaves.

Art4Climate: Connecting food, energy, and everyday life

Art has a unique power to make complex science feel personal. During the Art4Climate workshop led by visual artist Hossna Hanafy, participants explored research-backed artwork illustrating how rising global temperatures impact daily life in Egypt.

Interactive discussions centered on two vital issues:

• Food security: How shifting weather patterns and extreme heat threaten core Egyptian crops like wheat and corn.

• Energy affordability: Why reliable energy must be treated as a basic human right.

Participants discussed how scaling up local renewable energy like solar and wind combined with energy efficiency can directly lower household bills while cutting harmful emissions.

From Local Action to Systemic Change

The Africa Day gathering was just the beginning of a broader movement across Alexandria:

• Digital & local campaigns: Green Society kept the momentum going through a Green Eid al-Adha campaign promoting sustainable holiday consumption, alongside public activities for World Environment Day and Plastic Free July.

• Policy partnerships: Partnering with the Alexandria Engineers Syndicate, Green Society advocated for stronger public policies. While government support for household solar financing is expanding, the group is pushing for programs that combine financial aid with local skills training in solar installation, maintenance, and community-owned energy.

When communities combine art, practical greening, and advocacy for clean energy, they build real power from the ground up.

By: Green Society