Youth, Climate Action and Strategies for Adaption in the Gambia

8/3/2019 Youth, Climate Action and Strategies for Adaption in the Gambia

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Youth, climate change, local actions and strategies for

adaptation in the GambiaPaper presented by Ebrima S. Dem, NAYCONF 2010, December 22nd, 2010,

Paradise suite Hotel

What is climate change?

Climate change can be define as a change in the "average weather" that a given

region experiences. This weather pattern includes temperature, wind patterns

and precipitation. When we speak of climate change on a global scale, we are

referring to changes in the climate of the Earth as a whole. The rate and

magnitude of the global climate changes over the long term have many

implications for natural ecosystems and human survival.

The change in the climate can be cause by nature but mainly by human

activities. As human societies adopt increasingly sophisticated and mechanized

lifestyles, the amounts of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere have been

increased. By increasing the amount of these gases, humankind has enhanced

the warming capability of the natural greenhouse effect. It is the human-induced

enhanced greenhouse effect that causes environmental concern. It has the

potential to warm the planet at a rate that has never been experienced in human

history.

Effects and impacts of climate change in the Gambia

The Gambia despite contributing less in release of pollutants (GHG), that

scientist said is the main causes of climate change; the country is experiencing

one the greatest impact of climate change. This includes:

1. Flooding: Two severe flood episodes occurred in the country in 1996 in

Basse and the 1998 in CRD. There was also serious flooding in 2010

in parts of the Greater Banjul Areas (Banjul and KMC), leading to lost

properties, damaging buildings among others. Though this flooding

is attributed to the amount of rain fall recorded this year, it can also

be due to climate change and the topography of the land-many

communities in this area are less than 1 meter above sea level. This

means, heavy rains can easily trigger flash floods causing

inundation of streets and homes.

1. Salt intrusion and sea level rise. The movement of salt water into

fresh water is damaging rice fields, mainly in central river region (CRR)


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and other rice growing areas in the country. This has serious effect

on food productivity, quality and quantity in the country and hence

threatening our national food self sufficiency objective. The alarming rate

at which we lost our arable rice fields has the tendency to aggravate

the level poverty in the country there by moving the country away fromrealised the objective of millennium development goals.

1. Sea level rise. This is causing serious coastal erosion in island

villages and coastal towns in the country. In fat the city of Banjul

which is few meters above sea level is facing a serious treat from the

Atlantic Ocean.

1. Rainfall pattern. Currently the country is realising less amount of

rainfall within short period unlike before when the rainfall was spreadevenly for a long period. Due to this, local farmers can not grow certain

variety of crops. This is seriously reducing the amount food in the

country since most of our farmers depend on rainfall for their farming.

1. Temperature Rise-increase in temperature and humidity can

cause increases in the prevalence of diseases such as malaria since

mosquitoes strive well in humid environment. Also, during dry

season, the Hammattan wind carrying dust and other soil particles

also causes respiratory diseases such as asthma. The increase intemperature can also reduced the amount fish and hence affects local

diets.

Why is the Gambia vulnerable to climate change?

The Gambia is particularly vulnerable toclimate change because of the existing

pressures on itsecosystems and its low capacity toadapt. Our vulnerability could

be attributed to number of other factors such as:

1. Geographical Location-the Gambia is located in the drought

stricken Sahel region. It is about 30 miles (48 kilometres) wide alongthe coast, narrowing to 15 miles (24 kilometres) at its eastern border.

This geopolitical location of the country has made it increasingly

vulnerable to natural disaster during the last three decades.
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1. Economic situation- the country is classified as Least Developed

Country. This means, we do not have enough resource to ensure

effective mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

1. Topography of the land- in the Gambia, the land is generally

low line with just few meters above sea level. Due to this even rainfall at

certain amount can cause inundation.

1. Dependent on rain-fed for farming-Most of the farmers in the country

depend on the rain fall for their farming. This is preventing them from

venturing into large scale mechanised farming that requires water for

an all year round.

Why is it important to engage youth in climate change solutions in theCountry?

1. Up to 60% of the Gambian population are young people many of whom

are participating actively in national development. Thus, we are

convinced that we can never achieve climate solution if more than

half of our population-the youth- are not involved in discussion and

discision regarding climate change.

1. Young people represent the future generation of decision makers,

who will bear most the brunt of the negative impacts of climate change

1. Young people are energetic, creative, and enthusiastic and

committed in participating in climate change solutions.

Youth local Climate Actions

Young people in the Gambia have been doing lot in climate change solutions.

This includes:

1. Tree planting. Many youth organisations embark on tree planting

annually. The thousands of trees planted by young people serve as

effective carbon sink. It supports our national efforts on REDD+ and at

the same time a form afforestation strategy.

1. Climate education and awareness rising- one of the key elements to

reduce the impact of climate change is awareness creation. Many


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youth groups in the Gambia are actively participation in rising awareness

and promoting public participation on climate actions in the form of

radio advocacy, quiz, youth fora and peer-to-peer education.

1. They are also participating effectively in the international climatemovement.

1. Young people in the Gambia are also involved in practical

approaches to climate change solution such as coastal clean up

campaigns, among others.

Challenges Encountered by Youths in their to make a change in climate

change

1. Youth access to information is low, or some cases absent.2.

3. Non inclusion of young people in the development of national strategies

for sustainable development and decision-making process.4.

5. Young people continues to be fragmented into small groups, each

doing action in their own way.6.

7. Inadequate financial support to youth-led climate action projects8.

9. Little or no recognition of young people efforts on climate change issues

Way forward and conclusion

1. Young people should engage in discussion and discussion regarding

climate change at local and national level2.

3. Climate education should be included in National education curricula

at levels

4.

5. Adequate funding should be provided to young people to carry out Nonformal education on climate change

Documents

Youth, Climate Action and Strategies for Adaption in the Gambia