Greenpeace Afrique a annoncé le 5 juin 2024, le lancement officiel du Mouvement Camerounais pour la Justice Climatique (MCJC), une coalition regroupant près de 40 organisations de la société civile à travers les 10 régions du Cameroun. Ce mouvement vise à coordonner les efforts locaux pour lutter contre la déforestation et promouvoir des actions concrètes en faveur de la protection de l’environnement au Cameroun.
Toute l'actu sur la protection de l'environnement
Greenpeace Afrique a annoncé le 5 juin 2024, le lancement officiel du Mouvement Camerounais pour la Justice Climatique (MCJC), une coalition regroupant près de 40 organisations de la société civile à travers les 10 régions du Cameroun. Ce mouvement vise à coordonner les efforts locaux pour lutter contre la déforestation et promouvoir des actions concrètes en faveur de la protection de l’environnement au Cameroun.
Le lancement du Mouvement camerounais pour la justice climatique (MCJC), a été marqué, le 5 juin 2024-Journée mondiale de l’environnement, par une marche pacifique à Yaoundé, réunissant environ 500 participants, qui ont remis une lettre au ministre camerounais de l’environnement de la protection de la nature et du développement durable (Minepded), exhortant le gouvernement à intensifier ses efforts de protection des forêts et à adopter des mesures concrètes contre la déforestation massive qui menace les écosystèmes locaux.
Cette mobilisation fait suite à un atelier national tenu à Kribi en avril 2024, où les préoccupations des communautés locales et autochtones ont été recueillies et intégrées dans les doléances présentées au gouvernement. Le Dr. Fabrice Lamfu, chargé de la campagne Forêt chez Greenpeace Afrique, a souligné l’urgence d’une réponse collective face à l’ampleur croissante des pressions environnementales au Cameroun : « la planète est confrontée à une multitude de défis, des industries polluantes à la déforestation rapide. Le MCJC représente une première étape cruciale pour amplifier nos voix et nos actions en faveur de la protection de notre patrimoine naturel commun. ».
Des Mouvements qui se généralisent en Afrique
Avant le Cameroun, le modèle du Mouvement pour la Justice Climatique a été lancé avec succès en République Démocratique du Congo et sera bientôt étendu au Ghana, marquant ainsi un engagement renforcé des pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest et centrale pour une action climatique coordonnée et efficace.
Dans une déclaration publiée le 4 juin 2024, le MCJC affirme clairement ses objectifs. À savoir, promouvoir l’adaptation au climat, défendre la justice climatique et renforcer la collaboration entre les divers acteurs impliqués dans la protection de l’environnement. Ce mouvement s’engage également à soutenir la recherche et l’innovation pour développer des solutions spécifiques aux défis climatiques locaux, tout en plaidant pour des politiques climatiques robustes aux niveaux local, national et international.
La mise en œuvre du MCJC sera supervisée par un comité de pilotage dédié, chargé de coordonner les activités, d’évaluer les progrès et de garantir la transparence et la responsabilité dans toutes les initiatives entreprises.
Le Cameroun a perdu 3,7% de sa couverture forestière totale durant les 18 dernières années
Le Cameroun, avec sa riche biodiversité et ses vastes forêts, est confronté à des défis majeurs liés aux changements climatiques, exacerbés par la déforestation accrue qui compromet l’avenir des générations futures. En avril 2024, Greenpeace Afrique, en collaboration avec des organisations nationales et internationales de la société civile, a adressé une lettre à plusieurs gouvernements étrangers pour alerter sur l’urgence de la situation et plaider pour des mesures internationales de soutien.
La déforestation au Cameroun présente des chiffres alarmants, comme le révèlent les rapports récents du ministère des forêts et de la faune, du Minepded et de la World Resources Institute (WRI). Entre 2002 et 2020, le pays a perdu 708 000 hectares de forêts primaires humides, représentant une diminution de 3,7% de sa couverture forestière totale. Cette perte équivaut à 48% de la superficie forestière totale du Cameroun. Les années 2014, 2017 et 2020 ont particulièrement marqué des pics de déforestation, mettant en danger un écosystème crucial pour la biodiversité régionale et la stabilité climatique.
De plus, la déforestation s’est concentrée principalement dans le domaine forestier non permanent, qui a subi des pertes massives représentant 80% en 2020 et 78,6% en 2021 de la perte totale. Ces pertes sont souvent liées à la satisfaction des besoins de base comme l’accès à la nourriture et à l’énergie, mettant en lumière les défis socio-économiques auxquels sont confrontées les populations locales dépendantes des ressources forestières.
Boris Ngounou
Cameroon is facing an alarming situation as an extreme heatwave ravages the north of the country. Major cities such as Maroua and Garoua are particularly hard hit, with between 50 and 60 deaths a day due to record temperatures. In an open letter published on 27 May 2024 in the private daily Le Jour, Abdoulaye Harissou, former President of the Chamber of Notaries of Cameroon, called on the Minister of Public Health, Manaouda Malachie, to condemn the authorities’ silence in the face of this disaster.
Abdoulaye Harissou has denounced the « deafening silence » of local and national authorities in the face of this crisis. « Apart from traditional chiefs and imams, who have given instructions to pray for rain, no authority – governmental, regional or even local – has taken this problem seriously », he says. He points out that emergency measures should have been put in place, such as the distribution of water by tanker, the mobilisation of emergency services and free healthcare for vulnerable populations.
Alarming figures
In Maroua and Garoua, two major towns in the Far North and North regions respectively, at least 50 to 60 people a day were buried as a result of the heatwave. This catastrophic excess of deaths is the result of an inability to manage the effects of the extreme heat, compounded by chronic problems of access to water and medical care.
René Ramses Meyong, climatologist at the National Observatory on Climate Change (NOCC), points out that this heatwave is exceptional in terms of its intensity, duration and geographical distribution. Record temperatures of 47°C have been recorded in the Far North, while normally cooler regions such as the West and North-West are also experiencing high temperatures.
The consequences of this heatwave go far beyond human health. NOCC is warning of the risks to agriculture and livestock farming. The irregular rainfall and long periods of heat are causing rapid evapotranspiration from the soil, drying out vegetation and increasing the risk of bush fires. Livestock suffer from the lack of water and pasture, while agriculture, which is mainly rain-fed, is particularly vulnerable.
A call for action
This climate crisis highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for a rapid, coordinated response. The Cameroonian government and local authorities are being urged to take immediate action to mitigate the effects of this heatwave and protect vulnerable populations. Abdoulaye Harissou proposes raising awareness, better management of water resources and increased medical assistance.
The current crisis in northern Cameroon is a tragic illustration of the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable communities. Rapid and effective action is essential to prevent further loss of life and secure the livelihoods of the region’s inhabitants.
Fanta Mabo
CAMEROON: heat kills « 50 to 60 people a day in the far north ».
The northern regions of Cameroon are facing a humanitarian crisis due to an extreme heatwave that is causing significant excess mortality. Civil society is warning of the consequences of this phenomenon and calling on the authorities to take urgent action.
The climate crisis is accelerating, and along with it, the migration of species, including venomous snakes, is becoming a major concern. A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health sheds light on the devastating consequences of global warming on the geographical distribution of these deadly reptiles, primarily in Africa.
According to researchers, changing climatic conditions are driving the migration of many species of venomous snakes to new habitats, potentially leading to a proliferation of these animals in previously unaffected regions. Countries most vulnerable to this threat include Niger and Namibia, where the influx of venomous snakes could occur on a large scale, jeopardizing the health and safety of local populations.
By 2070, the habitat of several species of venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes, cobras, mambas, and the West Gabonese viper could expand significantly, by up to 250% in some cases. This expansion is largely due to the degradation of tropical and subtropical ecosystems caused by climate change and human activities.
The consequences of this migration of venomous snakes are alarming. These reptiles pose a serious threat to public health, with millions of envenomation cases from bites occurring worldwide each year. In Africa, where medical resources and supplies of antivenom are often limited, the arrival of new species of venomous snakes could lead to a significant increase in the number of deaths and permanent disabilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified venomous snakebites as one of the most important neglected tropical diseases to monitor, emphasizing the urgent need for action in the face of this growing threat. Each year, between 80,000 and 138,000 people die as a result of snakebites in Africa, and approximately 400,000 others suffer amputations or permanent injuries, adding to the heavy burden on already fragile health systems.
To address this threat, concerted action is needed at the local, national, and international levels. African governments must invest in the prevention and management of snakebite envenomations by strengthening health systems and ensuring adequate access to antivenom treatment. Additionally, climate change monitoring and prevention measures must be implemented to mitigate the adverse effects on biodiversity and public health.
The spread of venomous snakes in Africa, exacerbated by climate change, presents a major challenge for public health and biodiversity conservation. It is imperative to act quickly and effectively to prevent the disastrous consequences of this emerging threat and protect vulnerable populations from snakebites.
Fanta Mabo
Climate Crisis Fuels Surge in Venomous Snakes Migration
The climate crisis is accelerating, and along with it, the migration of species, including venomous snakes, is becoming a major concern. A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health sheds light on the devastating consequences of global warming on the geographical distribution of these deadly reptiles, primarily in Africa.
As part of a bold initiative to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to fight climate change and preserve nature, the Bezos Earth Fund has announced the launch of a $100 million multi-year Grand Challenge. This announcement comes at a crucial time when environmental challenges demand innovative and rapid solutions to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Climate change, with its devastating impact on ecosystems and communities around the world, is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At the same time, the loss of biodiversity threatens the balance of life on earth. To meet these challenges, the Bezos Earth Fund is proposing to capitalise on the potential of AI, which has already demonstrated its effectiveness in various fields such as the monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the detection of forest fires and the advancement of renewable energies.
The AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge aims to catalyse innovation by encouraging collaboration between climate, nature and AI stakeholders. By identifying and supporting effective AI-based solutions, the Bezos Earth Fund hopes to accelerate progress towards a more sustainable future. Through targeted funding, mentoring and other resources, innovators will have the opportunity to turn their ideas into reality and deploy solutions at scale.
Running for three years, the Grand Challenge will focus its first cycle on a number of key areas, including the sustainable development impact of proteins, biodiversity conservation and power grid optimisation. However, the challenge is open to all innovative ideas that contribute to the fight against climate change and the protection of nature. To ensure fairness and access, the foundation of American billionaire Jeff Bezos, head of Amazon, the global online retail giant, is inviting innovators from all over the world to take part in this ambitious challenge.
The submission process for the first round of the Grand Challenge will begin in May 2024, offering innovators an opportunity to take their ideas forward and help build a more sustainable future for all. The winners will be announced at the Bezos Earth Fund-TED event during Climate Week in New York at the end of September 2024.
Fanta Mabo
Bezos Earth Fund releases $100m for AI to help the climate and protect nature
As part of a bold initiative to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to fight climate change and preserve nature, the Bezos Earth Fund has announced the launch of a $100 million multi-year Grand Challenge. This announcement comes at a crucial time when environmental challenges demand innovative and rapid solutions to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Zimbabwe declared a state of national disaster on Wednesday 3 April 2024 due to the devastating drought that has hit large parts of southern Africa. President Emmerson Mnangagwa issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid, pointing out that more than 80% of the country is experiencing below-normal rainfall, leaving millions in need of food assistance.
Zimbabwe joins its neighbours Zambia and Malawi in facing unprecedented drought due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. This situation is jeopardising the food security of millions of people, with disastrous consequences for farmers and rural populations. The southern African country declared a state of national disaster on Wednesday in response to the severe drought affecting large parts of southern Africa. The declaration comes after similar measures were taken by neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has launched an urgent appeal for international aid, pointing out that more than 80% of the country is experiencing below-normal rainfall due to drought linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon. This situation has devastated crops and left millions of people in need of food assistance. « Due to the drought caused by El Niño, more than 80% of our country has received below normal rainfall », explained President Mnangagwa, before adding that « the country’s top priority is to guarantee food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean should succumb or die of hunger ».
Nearly 20% of the country’s population affected by famine
According to the authorities, 2.7 million people, or almost 20% of the country’s population, are expected to go without food this year in Zimbabwe. The first few months of the year are traditionally known as the « lean season », when households run out of food while waiting for the new harvest. However, with the continuing drought, there is little hope of replenishing food stocks this year.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has already set up a food aid programme for almost 2.7 million people for the period from January to March. However, President Mnangagwa has warned that even more people are likely to need food aid in the coming months.
Zimbabwe, once a grain exporter and regional breadbasket, has turned to aid agencies in recent years to stave off mass starvation due to extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and floods. The declaration of a state of national disaster by President Mnangagwa will enable humanitarian organisations to mobilise additional international support to meet the urgent needs of the population.
The current food crisis in southern Africa is the result of a persistent drought exacerbated by El Niño, a natural climatic phenomenon that warms parts of the Pacific Ocean every two to seven years and has varying effects on the global climate. In southern Africa, it generally causes below-average rainfall, but this year’s drought was the worst in decades.
Fanta Mabo
ZIMBABWE: the government declares a state of national disaster in the face of drought
Zimbabwe declared a state of national disaster on Wednesday 3 April 2024 due to the devastating drought that has hit large parts of southern Africa. President Emmerson Mnangagwa issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid, pointing out that more than 80% of the country is experiencing below-normal rainfall, leaving millions in need of food assistance.