Young people want quick climate solutions

Africa Moyo and
Mandaza Chikarango

Children say they are the worst affected by the impact of climate change, and would want an immediate solution so that their education is not compromised.

Some of the children said they would want to be part of the Zimbabwe delegation at the forthcoming 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), so that they advance their concerns.

COP27 will be held Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, from November 6 to 18.

The children made the remarks on Monday during a high-level dialogue on climate, energy, environment and children held in Harare, as part of pre-COP27 engagements.

The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry with support from Unicef Zimbabwe.

Child President Unathi Nyoni said: “As school children we are the most affected by climate change, continuous heat and natural disasters such as Cyclone Idai disrupted our lessons.

“Because of that we cannot concentrate properly taking into account these unfavourable learning conditions.

“We appeal to the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry for the inclusion of school children at upcoming COP27 to be held in Egypt so that we can have a voices on the effects of climate change.”

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, said COP27 was a landmark on African soil, where “we will discuss and negotiate climate commitments that touch on children as the generation to be most impacted by the decisions we are making now”.

Government recognised that children were the most vulnerable to climate shocks such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and cyclones.

An estimated 6,5 million children in Zimbabwe are at risk from the impact of climate-induced emergencies, said Minister Ndlovu.

“Many children have been affected by the climate crisis, and many have faced trauma from climate events. We all remember Cyclone Idai in 2019, that left a trail of deaths, destruction of infrastructure including homes, schools and health facilities,” he said.

“Over the years, we have had events that have taken lives, including now veld fires that are robbing children of their parents and guardians. As such, the Government is committed to an inclusive process, and this includes the gathering of views from all stakeholders, especially children and young people on climate change matters.

“The world today is grappling a triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution with huge consequences on health and well-being for all people.”

Government is committed to climate action and has made commitments in the national planning systems.

Presently, the Government is implementing the National Development Strategy 1 (2021 -2025), which emphasises strong actions on environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resource management among the country’s 14 priorities.

Minister Ndlovu said Zimbabwe was increasingly experiencing more severe climatic events especially droughts, cyclones and floods.

When rainfall varies, he said, there are far-reaching consequences on food, nutrition, and water security; all of which determine the health and well-being of the nation.

“Children and young people are among the most vulnerable to diseases that become more widespread because of climate change,” he said.

“Infrastructure that is critical for service delivery including for food and medicines is also destroyed during climate extreme events.

“Food insecurity and nutritional deprivations can have lifelong impacts, particularly for the most vulnerable and poor. Droughts and changing rainfall patterns have the potential to destroy livelihoods, drive migration and conflict, and cripple opportunities for children and youth.”

Minister Ndlovu conceded that children and young peoples’ education was being disrupted as some fail to cross flooded rivers, and school infrastructure damaged by cyclones and strong winds.

Despite the negative impacts of climate change on children and young people, Minister Ndlovu said the children and young people were not passive victims of climate change.

Unicef representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, applauded Zimbabwe for implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the fight against climate change.

“The Government of Zimbabwe developed the Clean Green Zimbabwe initiative with the support of Unicef. While the child-sensitive nature of Zimbabwe’s National Climate Change Response Strategy is laudable, there is no time to waste in advancing key actions in collaboration with all partners,” he said.

“I commend the Government of Zimbabwe for putting in place the Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative aimed at strengthening community capacity to be climate resilience by investing in children and young people and mobilising actions in communities and in schools.”