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International Biodiversity Day 2023: Message by ABCG Director Rubina James

by ABCG NewsEventsNews & Updates

International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated annually in May to increase understanding and appreciation of the criticality of biodiversity. This year, the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity” echoes the need to urgently act. As we mark this important day, we must conserve biodiversity and choose sustainable options in all spheres of life and sectors. On World Biodiversity Day and everyday, let’s apply our collective effort to implement this important Framework of the decade and build back better.

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Wanjira Mathai: Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023

by ABCG NewsNews & Updates

Wanjira emerged as the only Kenyan in Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ list in 2023 for her work in restoring land, people, and livelihoods. She is the Vice President and Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute (WRI), one of ABCG’s seven consortia members. She is also the chairperson of the Wangari Maathai Foundation. Wanjira has spearheaded the historic Green Belt project, pioneered investment in women entrepreneurs in renewable energy, and is leading a project to rehabilitate 100 million hectares of African land.

Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, in his essay to the global publication, describes Wanjira as an individual who fights for justice and the future of the African continent.

 “As a managing director at the World Resources Institute and chief Africa adviser to the Bezos Earth Fund, she is shaping NGO and philanthropic work on the continent, directing attention, research, and funding to help the most climate-vulnerable places and communities,” wrote Dr. Andrew Steer.

Dr. Andrew Steer further added: “How does she do it? Wanjira would say the secret may lie in the African concept of ubuntu. Our shared humanity, working together, is what allows us to change the world.”

Congratulations Wanjira Mathai!

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Global Climate Change Education

by ABCG NewsNews & Updates

According to a UNESCO report, 70% of young people have a very limited awareness of climate change or cannot describe it to someone else, indicating a significant gap in global climate education. The research also found that the younger the respondents, the higher the level of satisfaction of their learning experiences on climate change education, and girls have less confidence in dealing with climate change based on what they learned in school compared to boys. This brings us to the question of, how much are the schools teaching on climate change.

The global decisions around climate education remain to be one of the most underfunded and underestimated tactics in the fight against climate change. Considering climate change is a man-cause issue, we can’t change our future without first reevaluating our own institutions. The school system is a vital place to begin. Students worldwide require a climate change education that helps them understand how to take better action on climate change and recognize the human place within nature. It should be learner-centred, experiential, and reflective ways of learning making climate change education more fun, solutions-based, and action-oriented. Considering a contextualized climate change education through engagement with the local community could as well expand practical knowledge.

And since schools are important learning spaces for climate change, teachers should be well supported to become ready to teach climate change. They should also be confident enough with up-to-date information and have unlimited resources to teach about climate change. The governments have the mandate to take up the next step toward a more climate-friendly future and implement policies that will support global climate education in schools.

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Make a Positive Impact on our Planet by Joining Earth Hour 2023

by ABCG NewsEvents

Earth Hour 2023 will be held on March 25, 2023. Since 2007, Earth Hour has focused attention on climate change and environmental degradation. Earth Hour has reached over 190 countries and territories and millions of people around the globe. Earth Hour has been known for “lights out,” a symbolic event and visual representation of collective support for climate change action. Earth hour continues to advocate for action on climate change, as well as other environmental issues, 17 years later. Earth Hour is an important opportunity for Africa to emphasize the importance of nature to livelihoods, as well as food and energy security on the continent, which is threatened by climate change.

The ability of Earth Hour to inspire and support individuals to act and advocate for change has always been central to its success. Earth Hour demonstrates that collective efforts by governments, businesses, and individuals can make a difference in combating habitat loss, global biodiversity loss, and climate change if people come together to take action. Earth Hour urges immediate action now more than ever.

Dedicate 60 minutes to celebrate our planet!

People are needed now more than ever to make Earth Hour 2023 a year of change in order to meet the 2030 nature positive goal. Individuals, businesses, communities, towns and cities, and entire nations must all participate in Earth Hour to make a difference and create the World’s Greatest Earth Hour. Let us dedicate 60 minutes to global support and celebration of our planet that day.

As landmarks and homes across the planet switch off, everyone should take a break from their routine and everyday distractions and spend 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet.

Together, let’s create the Biggest Hour for Earth. 

Browse events to attend virtually or in-person here.

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International Women’s Day 2023

by ABCG NewsEvents

DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality is the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day. Celebrated annually on March 8, 2023, International Women’s Day (IWD 2023) will focus on the digital gender gap and the importance of protecting women’s and girls’ rights in digital spaces, as well as addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence. In the past, women’s exclusion from the digital world has caused a $1 trillion loss to low- and middle-income countries. Reversing this trend will require addressing online violence, which 38% of women have experienced.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we should ensure gender equality in the implementation of policies that address women’s issues through a gender-responsive approach in which all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to innovation, technology, and digital space. However, the digital revolution can also perpetuate existing patterns of gender inequality, with women falling behind due to growing inequalities in digital skills and access to technologies. Therefore, inclusive and transformative technology, as well as digital education, are essential for a sustainable future for women in their various areas of expertise.

ABCG continues to collaborate with local and indigenous women to bridge the gap and amplify their voices on biodiversity conservation and related issues throughout Africa to ensure just and equitable implementation of actions that include women’s full and effective participation and role in biodiversity conservation.

Our International women’s Day Newsletter Edition.

Happy International Women’s Day to all women and girls in the world!

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BREATHE Podcast Episode 5: Turn Down the Heat

by ABCG NewsEducation

There is no denying that our weather partners have evolved significantly since a decade ago. Long-term use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas has been by far the most significant contributor to these changes, accounting for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of total carbon dioxide emissions. According to scientists, greenhouse gas emissions blanket the earth, trapping the sun’s heat and causing global warming and climate change.

The world is currently warming faster than at any other time in recorded history. Warmer temperatures are changing weather patterns and disrupting nature’s normal balance. This poses numerous dangers to humans and all other forms of life on Earth. This incredible phenomenon is known as climate change. Its effects can be felt in every African village and country. Communities all over the world are struggling to cope with its effects, which include higher temperatures, severe storms, increased droughts, food insecurity, poverty, and displacement.

Although Africa is estimated to be responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In this regard, African governments and organizations must urgently develop solutions that address and mitigate the effects of climate change.

This podcast episode focuses on research conducted in sub-Saharan African countries by the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) to better understand how communities are adapting to climate change and its effects on biodiversity. Research findings revealed that among the most common climatic changes were decreased rainfall, seasonal changes, drought, and heatwaves. ABCG together with local partners implemented pilot projects such as rainwater harvesting, restoring water pans, improved irrigation, solar powered borehole pumps, clean cookstoves, reforestation, and providing training and materials for alternative livelihoods to help communities adapt to climate change.

Listen to this episode. Turn Down the Heat

Listen to the past episodes of the podcast

Episode 1: The seed savers. Listen here

Episode 2: Dreams from our fathers. Listen here

Episode 3: ChangeMakers. Listen here

Episode 4: Guardians of the land. Listen here

Listen to all episodes here

BREATHE is a podcast series looking to have illuminating discussions around conservation by highlighting the work of individuals and organizations across Africa who are changing the planet for the better one day at a time.

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BREATHE Podcast Episode 4: Guardians of the land

by ABCG NewsEducation

BREATHE fourth episode features guardians of the land, as we talk about the land. Land is precious, in Africa it speaks to the origin of the people, a connection to their past, and a testament to the potential that the future holds. It is also a source of many challenges and remains a key driver of conflict. With this in mind, various organizations are working towards getting solutions that will deal with the challenges faced by one of the continent’s most precious resources.

High population increase, expanding infrastructure, climate change, and other drivers have continued to put land in Africa under immense pressure. Land use planning is important to ascertain different uses and stakeholders of the land, regulate land use, and avoid conflict among other benefits. It ensures that land is put to use where maximum benefits can be realized.

Listen to learn how conservation experts with extensive programming in sub-Sahara Africa are using land use planning to ensure that African land resources are sustainably used, and this incredible inheritance is passed on to those who will come after us.

This Podcast Series has been made possible through the support of the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group, ABCG. ABCG is a coalition of seven international conservation NGOs with extensive field programming in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Wildlife Foundation, Conservation International, The Jane Goodall Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Resources Institute, and World Wildlife Fund. Together with their African Partners, these organizations tackle complex conservation challenges by catalyzing and strengthening collaboration on the continent.

Listen to the past episodes of the podcast

Episode 1: The seed savers. Listen here

Episode 2: Dreams from our fathers. Listen here

Episode 3: ChangeMakers. Listen here

Listen to all episodes here

BREATHE is a podcast series looking to have illuminating discussions around conservation by highlighting the work of individuals and organizations across Africa who are changing the planet for the better one day at a time.

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BREATHE Podcast Episode 3: ChangeMakers

by ABCG NewsEducationNews & Updates

This episode of BREATHE speaks to Africa’s largest age group-the youth. We try to find out the role they have in protecting the broken earth that they will inherit from their parents. Do they think they have what it takes to offer solutions where a majority of those who came before them failed? Do the youth of Africa have the strength to carry the burden of restoring the earth to factory settings?

We are joined by three conservation enthusiasts working with the youths in Africa and they explain to us how intergenerational knowledge transfer is the key to saving our planet from perishing and that the youths are the best group to work with to restore biodiversity.

 This is a story of Africa’s youth and their quest to change the world. Listen here to the full episode.

Listen to the past episodes of the podcast

Episode 1: The seed savers. Listen here

Episode 2: Dreams from our fathers. Listen here

Listen to all episodes here

BREATHE is a podcast series looking to have illuminating discussions around conservation by highlighting the work of individuals and organizations across Africa who are changing the planet for the better one day at a time.

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ABCG 2022 Highlights and Events Roundup

by ABCG News

This news roundup is a compilation of the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) 2022 highlights. We feature ABCG’s engagement at the major fora that characterized 2022 such as the inaugural IUCN Africa Protected Area Congress (APAC), and the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15). We also feature our podcast series, BREATHE, that illuminates discussions around conservation by highlighting the work of individuals and organizations across Africa who are changing the planet for the better one day at a time.

 

2022 was a critical year for the environment as the global community convened in various major fora to address environmental degradation. Among the key events was the inaugural IUCN Africa Protected Area Congress (APAC) held in Kigali, Rwanda in July, providing an exceptional opportunity for Africa to have critical dialogues on the future of protected areas for the millions of Africans. The 27th session of the Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) resulted in breakthrough agreements to provide “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable countries devastated by climate disasters. Finally, in December the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) was held in Montreal Canada, culminating with the adoption of The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

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