Story by Farai Gwaze
Youth participation in climate change mitigation will be topical at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled for Azerbaijan in November.
Reducing fossil fuels versus reliance on renewable energy remains a contentious issue in the climate change mitigation debate.
14-year-old Climate Action advocate, Vongayi Nhapi has joined fellow youths from around the world, in calling for a sustainable and lasting solution to the global challenge.
“We cannot save a burning planet with a firehose of fossil fuels, we must accelerate a just equitable transition to renewables with the resources we have available. The science is clear the 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning fossil fuels. The road to climate sustainability is also the only viable pathway to economic sustainability for the future and I urge governments to help the industry make the right choice by regulating, legislating and putting a fair price on carbon ending fossil fuel subsidies,” she said.
Zimbabwe, like many other countries, has not been spared from the effects of pollution produced by the global north.
“Climate justice is long overdue, developing countries are being devastated by disasters they did not cause, extortionary borrowing costs are blocking their climate action plan and support is far too little, far too late. The global stocktake must commit to a surge in finance for adaptations and loss and damage. It must also support the reform of the multilateral development banks to leverage more private finance at affordable costs to developing countries on climate action…Global heating is busting budgets, ballooning food prices and feeding a cost of energy crisis. Climate action can flip the switch and renewable energy is the gift that keeps giving. It’s good for our planet, our health and economy, she added.
As the country grapples with the effects of El Nino induced drought, government remains committed to supporting global efforts to fight climate change.
