By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
As the world grapples with an unprecedented threat from climate change, which has inflicted severe consequences on the environment, global leaders, civil society organizations, and experts convened in Dubai for the 28th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The objective was to address climate change issues and propose actions related to adaptation, resilience, nature-based solutions, and the imperative for a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Sierra Leone actively participated in this significant gathering, recognizing the critical juncture at which the world stands, emphasizing the necessity for COP28 to deliver substantive actions against climate change.
Several key points were deliberated upon, centering on the crucial need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement. The agreement, inked in 2015, aimed at restraining global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with efforts focused on achieving the more ambitious target of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Scientific evidence, particularly from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), underscores the imperative of these limits to avert the most severe impacts of climate change.
The IPCC’s 2018 report highlighted that restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is essential to prevent catastrophic consequences such as sea level rise and extreme weather events, necessitating rapid and extensive changes in energy, land, and infrastructure systems.
Loss and damage resulting from climate change, encompassing the loss of homes and livelihoods due to rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions, were central themes. The IPCC’s 2018 report projected economic losses from climate-related disasters to soar to $54 billion to $131 billion annually by 2030, with a disproportionate impact on vulnerable nations like Sierra Leone. Urgent calls were made for adaptation and risk reduction measures, including compensation and support for affected communities.
The intersection of climate change and food security was a focal point, with the 2018 update from the IPCC warning of adverse effects on global food production and availability.
Rising temperatures, droughts, and extreme weather events were predicted to reduce crop yields, particularly affecting developing countries. The drought in Somalia in 2011 served as a stark example, causing significant livestock and cereal production losses, leading to famine and substantial loss of life.
Climate change’s impact on access to clean water and sanitation, elucidated in a 2017 WHO report, revealed a surge in water-borne diseases, emphasizing the decline in water quality, especially in developing nations where over 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water.
Highlighting nature-based solutions, the restoration of forests and wetlands emerged as effective measures to mitigate climate change impacts. The Green Green Wall project in Africa, focusing on reforesting degraded land, showcased the potential of nature-based solutions in enhancing food security and reducing poverty. Scientific studies underscored the significant contribution these solutions could make to climate change mitigation.
In conclusion, COP28 called for global unity in addressing climate change, prioritizing adaptation and resilience, advocating for nature-based solutions, emphasizing the need for a just transition to a low-carbon economy, and stressing the importance of a robust global response. Accelerating progress towards critical targets requires comprehensive policies and actions at both national and international levels.