A brighter , greener tomorrow is possible, climate change activists say
With the ongoing global climate crisis especially in West and Sub-saharan Africa, climate change activists have called for collective actions that are paramount in establishing a true circular economy with minimized un employment queries. in the recent past, many countries in Sub -Saharan Africa majorly Kenya and Uganda have suffered flash floods that have since claimed lives for many people.
Employment sector is equally clamped down due to the breakdown in productive sectors as a result of these floods and other catastrophic occurrences.
Alluding to the realities of natural calamities, climate change activists led by Uganda Green Africa Young Organization(YAGO) have called for collective actions that are paramount in establishing a true circular economy that addresses un employment queries and empowering communities to withstand climate shocks.
"Collective action is paramount in establishing a true circular economy," emphasized Betty Osei Bonsu, the Country Manager of GAYO Uganda.
To ensure a climate resilient environment, activists have unveiled ambitious plans for fostering Sustainability and tackling young unemployment through green advocacy.
"Initiatives such as "Zero Waste Kampala" campaign, are aiming at strengthening partnerships and leverage local interventions for sustainability. Environmental challenges faced by Ugandan communities, require urgent sustainable solutions," she emphasized.
The sarcastic climate change crisis in the globe especially in the global south characterized by disastrous floods, scorching drought and pandemic outbreaks that have since worsened unemployment and quality of life for millions of people.
Reagan Kandole is a young climate change activists, artist and scholar whose nitch is collecting metallic waste, mould them and make artificial artifacts that emulate naturalistic appearance of world species such as elephants.
Kandole who finds passion in art says he embarked on the exercise to reduce on the metallic waste the affect and contaminate the e environment.
" I collect metallic and other wastes, turn them into useful artifacts that emulates the natural appearance of world species. I have done this for decades and my art pieces are often show cased at climate change exhibitions, " said Kandole.
With youth unemployment rates at 13.3%, climate change activists held that adopting such innovative approaches are essential for job creation.
"Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are leading by example, repurposing waste into valuable resources and providing employment opportunities. At the core of the initiative is a dedication to grassroots empowerment and gender equality," said Osei.
With plans to establish a green jobs market in Masaka in collaboration with Eco Brixs, activists intend to showcasing the circular economy's potential for employment generation and entrepreneurship can deliver a better economic future as more efforts are focused on integrating informal waste pickers into the waste management system, recognizing their crucial role in the ecosystem.
"Gender equality takes center stage with GAYO Uganda's announcement of the business and product development training in green jobs for women and youth in Bwaise, Kampala. In partnership with the circle economy, the program aims to equip participants with skills for sustainable business practices and waste management, empowering women and youth," she explained.
The green advocacy shall contribute to the development of the green jobs handbook, offering practical guidance and policy recommendations for creating green jobs.
Partnerships with organizations like Eco Brixs, Makerere Urban Action Lab, and the 10 Billion Strong highlight the collective effort toward a greener, more sustainable future.
