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African Sources and Voices in Climate Change

Sydney Kawadza

Zimbabwe Independent

November 1, 2024

Reporting Climate Change in Africa Workshop

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Introduction

The Importance of Local Perspectives in Climate Change

Three times more land in drought than in 1980s, study finds - BBC

Zimbabwe's President Mnangagwa declares national disaster over drought - BBC

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    • Southern Africa just experienced the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon
    • Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi declare state of national disaster
    • Approximately 30 million people food insecure

48% of the Earth’s land surface had at least one month of extreme drought last year, according to analysis by the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change - up from an average of 15% during the 1980s.

Almost a third of the world - 30% - experienced extreme drought for three months or longer in 2023. In the 1980s, the average was 5% - BBC

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Drought exposed 151 million more people to food insecurity last year, compared with the 1990s, which has contributed to malnutrition. Heat-related deaths for over 65s also increased by 167% compared to the 1990s. - BBC

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The Need for African Voices in Climate Coverage

African economies losing 3% to 5% of their GDPs

    • Increasingly severe heat
    • Droughts
    • Floods
    • Cyclones

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    • Failed crops
    • Floods
    • Cyclones
    • Water shortages

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Harsh Realities

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    • Africa research institutions
    • Environment research departments (universities)
    • International climate database
    • Environmental NGOs, CSOs & CSM

International Bodies & Policy Agency

Media outlets

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Sources of Climate Change Information in Africa

///Continued

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    • Local & International News Agencies
    • Social Media and Citizens Journalism
    • Local Communities

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Experts and Communities Involved in African Climate Knowledge

    • Scientific Experts and Researchers
    • Scientists
    • Indigenous communities
    • Local Farmers and Fishermen

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Accessing and Utilizing These Sources for Reporting

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    • Building relationships
    • Collaborations with Regional Universities & Research Organisations
    • Leveraging on Data Platforms
    • Social Media Engagements

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Why Include African Voices is Essential in Climate Reporting

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    • Authentic representation
    • Relevance to local context
    • Promoting Resilience and Local Solutions
    • Countering Bias and Eurocentric Narratives
    • Empowering Communities

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Resources for Climate Change Reporting

    • Database and Information Repositories
    • Contacts and Directories
    • Guidebooks and Toolkits
    • Training Programmes and Fellowships

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Questions?