Organization of African Youth Kenya’s Expectations at the Africa Climate Summit 2023
The Africa Climate Summit 2023 is a landmark event that brings together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from across Africa and the globe to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: The impact of climate change.
As representatives of the Organization of African Youth Kenya (OAY), we are excited to participate in this significant summit, which aligns closely with our organization’s mission and thematic areas: Environment and climate change, Socioeconomic empowerment, Health and wellbeing, and Policy and governance.
Our expectations and key areas of interest during the Africa Climate Summit 2023 include how climate change has impacted nutrition security and the innovative solutions that can drive positive change in Kenya and beyond.
Climate Change and Nutrition Security
Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns and disasters have significant consequences for food systems. We purpose to participate in discussions related to;
- Food Accessibility by understanding how to ensure equitable access to food amidst Climate change-induced disruptions that can lead to reduced access to nutritious foods.
- Sustainable agricultural practices that can mitigate challenges caused by fluctuations in temperature and rainy seasons that have resulted in decreased crop yields that threaten food production.
- Food Composition and Nutrition Content since Climate change can alter the nutritional content of crops, impacting the quality of food available.
- Strategies for stabilizing food prices since Climate-related events can increase the prices of food items, placing a heavy burden on households.
- Solutions for sustainable water management.
- Climate-resilient livelihoods.
- Linkages between Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Climate change and preventive measures.
Climate Change, Innovation and Technology
Climate change challenges can be addressed by Innovation and technology and we look forward to engage in discussions exploring solutions such as;
- Clean energy technologies and Renewable Energy essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture and innovative farming techniques that enhance crop yields and reduce environmental impact.
- Tools and technologies that help communities adapt to climate change and build resilience.
- Digital Solutions to facilitate climate monitoring and improve early warning systems.
Conclusion
The Africa Climate Summit 2023 offers a unique platform for dialogue and collaboration among nations and organizations committed to addressing climate change.
We look forward to insights into how climate action can be integrated into national policies and governance structures for the betterment of our country and the continent at large.
As OAY, we are eager to engage in discussions, share our experiences, and learn from others. Together, we can forge a path towards a climate-resilient and prosperous Africa.
Written by Mercy Koech