The Impact of Climate Change on African Communities: A Call for Action

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has recently presented a documentary uncovering the severe impact of climate change on communities in Africa. Entitled “Climate Change: Africa’s Cooked and Sinking Communities,” the documentary provides insight into the devastating effects of climate change in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, Kambele, Cameroun, and Ayetoro, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Unveiled at the COP28 conference in Dubai, this documentary brought attention to the extensive impact of mining and oil extraction on these communities. These findings have increased the demand for a Loss and Damage mechanism aimed at alleviating the suffering of local communities throughout the African continent.

In the framework of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) process, the loss and damage fund aims to provide compensation for the harm caused to human societies and the natural environment by human-induced climate change. This initiative holds significant promise for the affected communities, offering hope in the face of substantial adversity.

The documentary highlighted the story of Taita Taveta County, which was once recognized for its thriving agricultural and animal husbandry practices. However, due to the adverse effects of climate change, the community has become an arid landscape, forcing farmers to turn to emergency mining for survival. This has only exacerbated the challenges brought about by climate change, creating a dire situation for the residents.

Similarly, in Kambele, residents are facing the damaging effects of indiscriminate gold mining, which has resulted in landslides, extreme heat, and unpredictable weather patterns. The toll of this mining activity has led to numerous casualties and a range of health issues for the inhabitants. The firsthand accounts from the residents emphasize the urgency of addressing these environmental and human rights concerns in a meaningful and sustainable manner.

The situation in Ayetoro is equally distressing, with the once-vibrant city now facing the threat of sinking due to ocean surges, particularly following the installation of oil extraction facilities along its shoreline. The impact of these facilities has been felt since the 1980s, leading to the gradual erosion of the city’s landmass. Immediate attention and action are required to prevent further irreversible damage to the community.

Mr. Akinbode Okuwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, has stressed the urgent need for sustainable climate finance for the continent, highlighting the importance of implementing a democratic and sustainable mechanism for addressing the impact of climate change in frontline communities across Africa. The honest accounts of these communities serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and support the affected communities in their time of need.

In light of these sobering revelations, it is imperative for COP28 to deliberate on actionable measures that will offer hope and tangible support to the affected communities. Acknowledging and addressing the climate debt accumulated over the years is the responsibility of the West to Africa and the global South. Concrete action and meaningful interventions are needed to alleviate the suffering of these communities and pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future for all.