By Akua Oforiwaa Darko
“It is very important for people to know about climate change and involve especially women and children in relevant climate discussions because it will matter to their survival in the coming years,” says the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Henry Kokofu.
Communities across the globe are already experiencing the effects of extreme weather events and unpredictable variations in seasonal weather, with poor communities, women, children, and marginalised groups disproportionately affected. The perspectives of children, some experts, say within the field of climate change adaptation have remained largely sidelined.
Speaking at various high-level dialogues on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, EPA’s Executive Director, Dr Henry Kokofu, noted that women and children’s needs, voices, and capacities should be heard in efforts being made towards climate change adaptation.
“Since climate change is an issue of inter-generational justice, engaging women and children would help to safeguard all our future. We should recognise that empowering youth and working together with them presents a transformational opportunity to lay the foundation for a peaceful and sustainable future.”
Along with delegates, civil society representatives, and business leaders, the Africa Climate Summit was an opportunity for climate activists and youth to have their say too. Most highlighted issue by the activists was the link between saving the environment, the health and wellbeing of children.
Among some Ghanaian dignitaries at a high-level dialogue at the Africa Climate Week, spearheaded by the wife of Ghana’s Vice President, Samira Bawumia, were the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie and the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Henry Kokofu who made commitments to help ensure that women and youth are given priority on platforms dedicated to climate sustainability in their respective jurisdictions.
The dialogue session, which was held on the theme “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action,” engaged global leaders and implementing partners towards achieving viable and locally-led solutions arising from the AFRIWOCC23 Communique. It aims at tackling climate change while empowering women and amplifying the voices of children on the African continent.
The youth are some of the most vulnerable to the lifelong environmental effects caused by climate change. According to a report by WHO, UNICEF, and Lancet, excessive carbon emissions disproportionately from wealthier countries threaten the future of all children. If global warming continues unabated, it will have devastating health consequences for children and youth, from sea level rise, heatwaves, diseases, malnutrition, and more.
