We’re days away from rising up calling on our leaders to fight climate change.

We’ve seen throughout history that movements that promote progressive social change have been driven by ordinary people dedicated to leading when governments have failed. People power leading the way has become even more relevant as the effects of climate change have begun to unravel across Africa, as leaders across the length and breadth of the continent prop up the importation and exploitation of fossil fuels.

As part of Africa Day, on May 24-25 we will see the determination of people, in communities across Africa rise up against new fossil fuel exploration, and developments - showing leaders the way to fight climate change. So far there have been over 50 events registered across the continent calling on their leaders to commit to building a fossil free Africa that puts people and justice before profits.

The movement against new fossil fuel developments is global and extremely pertinent to the future of our planet. Here’s a snippet into what will be happening in Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa on the 25th:

  • Nigeria: To mark the Afrika Day of Action, GIFSEP intends to mobilize at least 20 Senior Secondary Schools in Abuja to produce and deliver climate-conscious and justice messages on one parachute and other colourful paintings. This parachute and painting will be delivered through a march towards the parliament building asking the members of parliament to pass the climate bill and lead Nigeria on the road to climate justice.

  • Senegal: A huge rally gathering at least 1500 citizens composed of youth, women, traditional chiefs, religious leaders, local authorities, CSOs and NGOs is planned in Bargny to denounce the Bargny coal plant project and to call the Senegalese President to demonstrate a stronger leadership role in fighting against climate change and promote renewables.

  • South Africa: Communities affected by mining, and those in support of these communities, will be marching to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. A memorandum calling for a national ban on fracking in South Africa will be handed over to the President and to the Minister of the Department of Mineral Resources.

There will be dozens of other events taking place across the continent on May 24-25th. Check out this map and join an event near you!   

Our collective futures depends on us being able to seize this moment and work together to pushback against the fossil fuel industry fuelling the climate crisis and for long-lasting and meaningful change.

 

by Chris

Youths in Nairobi oppose the proposed coal plant project in Lamu: Advocates for green energy

On 14th of March 2019, youths in Nairobi took a dire initiative to oppose the 1,050 megawatts coal plant project. A project under Amu Power Company (a special purpose joint venture of Gulf Energy and Centum Investment) is to be established at Kwasasi Village in Hindi Division, Lamu west.

With their placards raised high, the youths walked through the University of Nairobi from end to end hiking the awareness of the harmful flip of the project. They talked one on one with students as they gave out the factsheets that had well-defined details of the intended project. The project is prospected to beget harmful health and environmental effects, livelihood effects on communities, unprofitable and unsound economics and violation in licenses.

Additionally, the youths had alternative solutions on their placards that could be put in place instead of the detrimental project. They vehemently advocated for green energy as they passed the same knowledge to fellow youths.

The youths roundly tweeted their dissents using the hashtag #deCOALonize and #OnePlanetSummit. They directed their messages and awareness to The Kenya Government and French Government following the 3rd global One Planet Summit that was taking place in Nairobi Kenya at the United Nations.

The Summit was geared to focus on ways to accelerate and step-up climate action in Africa and specifically on expanding renewable energy, protecting biodiversity, and boosting adaptation and resilience.

Activist groups such as Save Lamu, Lamu Youth Alliance, deCOALonize Coalition, NGOs etc. have been campaigning tirelessly to stop the building of the proposed coal plant in Lamu, Kwa Sasi region. This was an effort under 350 in support of the deCOALonize campaign and is one of many to come strategic actions, to #deCOALonize Kenya.

 

- Ian Elroy Ogonji, 350Kenya Volunteer.

by Chris