Rich countries must foot climate change bill, say youth

Cape Town – Young activists from across the African continent are calling for wealthy nations to fulfil their climate finance commitments and make sure the money is invested directly into the communities most affected by climate change.

Hundreds of young African faith-based climate activists have been co-operating across the continent for months in preparation for this week’s COP27 climate talks.

The activists are raising their voices in the hope that the experiences and priorities of those grassroots communities directly affected by climate change will be taken into account by the official government negotiators.

Last week, more than 20 activists gathered to influence the more than 1 000 delegates from 44 countries attending the All Africa Youth Congress held in Ghana.

The activists say wealthy nations, who caused the climate crisis, must show leadership and accountability in providing climate finance.

Jessica Bwali, from Zambia and part of the Climate Yes movement, said: “If this African COP will not fully address loss and damage, then we need to ask the question: ‘Was it even for Africa?’ Wealthy nations should take full responsibility for their actions and pay the overdue money.”

Bino Makhalanyane, from the Green Anglicans movement in South Africa, said the $100 billion (R1.7 trillion) promised to vulnerable climate countries is now overdue for payment.

“We demand that the money comes in the form of a grant and should reach affected communities, creating space for climate-smart innovations, green jobs and creating resilient communities.

“There are a lot of young activists here, even though the space to protest has been limited by the organisers. You can see the trauma in their eyes as they tell their stories of climate loss. I believe it’s wrong to force young people to become adults prematurely because of the negative experiences they have faced due to climate change,” Makhalanyane said.

Cape Times