BY VALERIAN KKONDE
That scientists continue to refer to global warming as a “super-wicked” problem, is proof that humanity is at a very critical stage of
threatening its existence. This is so because humanity is failing to come up with concrete measures to address this threat. Unfortunately, it is not that people lack knowledge of what needs to be done; rather, it is the political will that is lacking. Nations, world leaders, companies, observers and well-wishers gather every year in search of a solution to human activities that are causing devastation to Mother Earth. It is at the Conference of Parties (COP) that the world comes together in admission that concerted effort is needed to address the wreckage of extreme weather, leaving many communities in a state of permanent crisis.
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) was hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the Expo City Dubai. This took place from November 30th to December 13th last year, 2023. The Convention brings together the 198 Parties- 197 nations plus the European Union- that have signed on to the Framework Convention. As Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change gather annually, extreme weather conditions continue to manifest themselves across every region of the world. “We participate in this Summit looking really to try to double down on the commitments that have previously been made to make sure that governments live up to those commitments and commit the resources necessary,” observes Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas
Internationalis. Caritas is the Commission of the Roman Catholic Church overseeing relief and development.
The Commission is present in every Diocese of the Church and has a network that reaches the smallest structure of society worldwide.
Climate change impacts include: warming temperatures, changes in precipitation, increase in the frequency or intensity of some extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. These impacts threaten human health by affecting the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the weather we experience.
For example, in Uganda, industries have taken up places of wetlands and swamps. Kampala, Lugazi, Luweero, and Masaka, to mention but a few, are a deplorable sight of systematic environmental degradation. Moreover, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake- Lake Victoria- is
deteriorating at a supersonic speed due to sand- mining, and rice growing. The quality of source water is threatened through increased runoff of pollutants and sediment, decreased water availability from drought and saltwater intrusion, as well as adversely affecting overall efforts to maintain water quality.
In 2008, National Water and Sewerage Corporation was searching for US $ 3 million to extend its water pipes 3 km deep into Lake Victoria. The aim was to bypass the intense algae bloom in the Inner Murchison Bay. This is the main water source for the capital, Kampala’s water
supply. Algae are green microscopic plants that live in the surface waters of the lakes. They are usually visible to the human eye when there is a lot of sunshine. These catalyze their growth into huge masses. As they decompose on the shores, they give off a very pungent
smell and degrade the water quality.
This is the consequence of poor waste disposal systems, compounding health and financial problems. To treat the algae-contaminated water,
National Water had to part with 11 billion shillings. By all indications, the situation is getting worse every other day. Forest cover is fast diminishing, wetlands and other water bodies are threatened and as a result, seasons have become very unpredictable and hostile. Species of fauna and flora are becoming extinct. The impression is that there are no laws and the political will to hold government and other owerful actors to account.
According to Aguti Betty Rose, the Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Caritas Uganda and the National Coordinator, Uganda Farmers Common Voice Platform, Caritas Uganda is optimistic that by engaging in awareness and advocacy for policy and legislative agenda, Ugandans
and other people the world over, will finally realise the importance and need to adapt to the changing climate conditions. “It is important that people avoid wastage in the first place. It is of no value to have more than one car in a family.
People also need to migrate to sustainable energy,” she suggests.
COP 28 is famed for marking the conclusion of the first global stock- take of the world’s efforts to address climate change under the Paris
Agreement. With progress too slow across all areas of climate action- from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to strengthening resilience to a changing climate to getting financial and technological support to vulnerable nations- countries responded with a decision on how to accelerate action across all areas by 2023. Governments were called upon to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels to renewables such as wind and solar power in their next round of climate commitments.
At COP 27, nations had agreed to set up a fund to support vulnerable nations and communities, already experiencing adverse impacts
of climate change. Discussions on operationalizing the new funding arrangements for Loss and Damage took place at COP 28. The
establishment of the Fund for Loss and Damage with commitments totaling US $ 700 million symbolizes global solidarity, reflecting both the
urgency of the climate emergency and a step forward in international climate justice.
Uganda was chosen as one of the first seven developing countries to benefit from this fund amounting to US $ 400 million. This was
also the first time that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) resulted in unprecedented recognition and
momentum for linking efforts to address the climate and biodiversity crises. Alongside pollution, these make up the triple planetary crisis-the three, main interlinked environmental issues facing humanity.
The COP 28 Action Agenda was centered on fast-tracking, a just and orderly energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people,
nature, lives and livelihoods and fostering inclusivity. Disappointments ranged from failure to deliver for low- and middle-income countries
to not securing the assurances that countries with the greatest historical responsibility for climate change will go further, faster and will generate the finance needed for a global just transition.
Not only was the policy of “transition away” changed from the original, stronger-worded policy of “phasing out” fossil fuels, but also the decision did not elaborate on any time framework for the transition away from the fossil fuels and contain any mechanism that would hold governments accountable to this. One of the main voices on climate change is Pope Francis and his messages are consistent.
In his encyclical- Laudato Si-, he calls on humanity to take action on climate change, stressing that the problem is great.
That Pope Francis published Laudate Deum just before the Summit is further proof that he cares about the issue of climate change and its
consequences for our common home and its inhabitants. “Pope Francis’ message to world leaders and key players is to the point. We have to act now for the good of humanity, for the good of the planet, to care for current and future generations,” says Dutton.
Uganda too was ably represented by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja who in her eight- point national statement assured
the participants that Uganda can be counted on as a partner to create a far safer, cleaner and more equitable world. “Government of Uganda recognizes and welcomes Just Transitions that is orderly and phased energy transition that ensures the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy that minimizes negative consequences on workers, communities, ecosystems and national economies for enhanced energy access and Sustainable Development,” she stated.
Major environmental crimes in Uganda have powerful political fathers, which explains why they continue unpunished and with impunity. “If the current state of doing things is not changed, we are headed for doom,” observes Betty Rose. Walking the talk of climate change remains a sensitive issue that requires significant efforts at the domestic level and international climate talks.
