Climate Change
Re/claiming the Utility and Novelty of Mobile Phones and Social Media Lessons from Pastoralists in East and West Africa
While we may be accustomed to or overwhelmed by the rapid pace of digital development, recognize that cell phones are often the very first connection pastoral communities have with a modern information and communication tool. The way pastoralists have largely approached the rather belated entry of mobile technology and social media with excitement, grace and inventiveness is another example of their remarkable flexibility and adaptability. Read More...
Paying It in Green Debt Forgiveness Is Crucial to Tackling Climate Change
Growing debt burdens hinders the fiscal capabilities of developing countries for whom additional debt often means reduced government spending in the public sector. Read more. Read More...
Post-COP27, Africa Must Forge Its Own Path An Interview with Energy Researcher, Habiba Daggash
Habiba Daggash argues that climate change is a threat multiplier which could disrupt all sectors of the African economy. Consequently, she says, ‘it is essential for all economic planning to consider climate change impacts so development strategies and infrastructure investment can be designed to be resilient to both climate impacts and socioeconomic consequences of climate action.’ Read More...
A COP of Unmet Expectations The Disappointment of COP27
Like all international climate summits, COP27 began with high hopes but will be remembered as the COP of unmet expectations. So, what’s next for the international climate community? Read More...
Has Anything Changed? The Gender Politics and Policies of COP26 and COP27
Though both COP26 and COP27 have seen various initiatives—from travel funds to mentorship networks to enhance women’s participation in climate action—overall progress remains inconsistent and slow as richer countries tend to fall short of their financial promises. Read More...
Against Wildlife Republics Conservation and Imperialist Expansion in Africa
In 1972, pan-Africanist and Marxist thinker from Guyana, Walter Rodney, warned of ‘Wildlife Republics’, calling attention to wildlife conservation in Africa as a new form of imperialist and capitalist exploitation. Today, conservation is still a pretext to dispossess local communities for imperialist expansion and capitalist development. Read More...
Food Sovereignty vs Food Security The Future of Yam Farming in Nigeria
While we urgently need to address the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s yam value chain to support the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers and provide more affordable food to the country, it is essential to look beyond food security and apply a food sovereignty lens. Read More...
COP27: Vanessa Nakate Wants African Solutions for African Problems An Interview with Climate Activist, Vanessa Nakate
The solutions to African climate problems must be tailored to our unique circumstances, Vanessa Nakate argues ahead of COP27. She says, ‘We must make sure the solutions that are being funded are the ones that work for African people.’ Read More...
COP Returns to Africa Have the Wrong Chickens Come Home to Roost?
Regardless of Egypt’s motivations or whether or not COP 27 is ‘African’, the vast majority of the consequences wrought by the climate crisis, are. Africa, therefore, needs to confront the crisis head-on. Read More...
COP27: Abigael Kima’s Cautious Optimism An Interview with Climate Activist, Abigael Kima
Africa is an important voice in the climate debate, Abigael Kima argues ahead of COP27. ‘Because although we are only responsible for 0.5 per cent of historical emissions and less than 4 per cent of the global emissions at the moment, we are the most negatively impacted.’ Read More...
