If there is any phrase that has not become a cliché despite repeated use over the years, it could be climate change. Some twenty years or so, the phraseology would have evoked a positive response from a few enlightened segments of people. Now, most developed to least developed countries are aware of its deleterious consequences and sinister impact on humanity.
Significantly, Africa is at the receiving end as has been the case ever. Colonialism has sapped the continent of its rich resources while making others richer and inhabitants poorer. The case is no different in the present situation also. While Africa contributed only 4% of global emissions, the continent bore a disproportionately higher level of impact, estimated to be over 90% based on a 2019 study. Curiously, the insignificant proportion of the carbon emission in the continent mainly came from five countries, such as South Africa (33%), Egypt (17%), Algeria (12%), Nigeria (10%), and Morocco( 5%). Sadly, of the 54 countries in the continent, more than 30 or so are susceptible to the vagaries of extreme climate change causing floods, droughts, and landslides, which leads to famines, health challenges, and massive rehabilitation works.
Left unattended, climate change can neutralize two decades of economic progress the continent achieved because of its own arduous efforts, despite the devastating trails left by the colonial era.
Prescriptions are many for avoiding global climate warming. They range from the mobilization of funds to build climate resilience, leveraging new technologies and business models, creating local green technologies, and a lot more. The pertinent point is whether such oft-repeated solutions hold good when one has to address a colossal task, which should have been seized up in right earnest, at least two decades ago. That delayed action on the part of the world, should not be cast on Africa and its leaders squarely. Of course, there is no denying that its leadership, citizenry, and activists should become more vigilant than ever before in taking collaborative approaches to fend off the imminent catastrophe.
The signal that is coming from different quarters to address climate change is ambivalent, to say the least. US President’s special envoy on Climate Change John Kerry as recently as a few days ago made it clear that his country should not be held solely responsible for climate change, alluding to the role played by the main polluter China, followed by other countries in Europe and other parts of the world. Importantly, the present administration in the US has not completely shirked off its role as was the case during the previous regime under Donald Trump. Even while advocating a shared responsibility and action, there should be an expressed willingness to take the lead. The last word from China has yet to be heard. Hopefully, by November when COP 27 kicks off in Egypt, the first time an African country is hosting this event, most of the countries including China would make their stand clear, not by making equivocal solidarity in expressions couched up in diplomatic niceties but a roadmap indicating concrete action.
Do all African countries talk the same language as far as climate change is concerned? Not at all! The oil-rich countries where there are abundant natural resources to be mined sounded that they would not halt their fossil exploration. They point out that they are betting on oil or oil discovery as a source for funding their development plans. Could that be sacrificed in the alter of climate change? One cannot say that their thinking is out of place and out of context. Then there is the coal lobby urging rollover the deadline fixed for folding up the mining, which is their main source of energy not alone for lighting but for wide use in the manufacturing sector.
Amidst these imponderables, there are isolated examples of how countries are tapping clean energy. For instance, Egypt is embarking on an ambitious project to tap clean energy and laying a massive pipeline to supply to countries like Greece and the power-hungry west Europe, besides using that energy for generating clean hydrogen gas, another source of Green energy. It is equally important to note, that countries like Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, etc are rolling out massive schemes for tapping alternative sources of energy. They are also estimating how many jobs such ventures can create and how that can transform their manufacturing process.
COP27 is less than a couple of months away. The moot point is whether it can lead to a consensus, a single agenda, and a roadmap to be chased or end up in a situation similar to the Biblical Tower of Babel when people start talking in different languages.
