Season Reflections.
We started the podcast journey last year in June 2020. What are some of the issues we have talked about and where are the plans for 2021?
Jan 19, 2021•20 min
Africa Climate Podcast
Africa Climate Conversations is a weekly podcast offering insight on climate change issues in Africa. Effects Climate change is having on economies, communities, and ecosystems while highlighting tons of adaptation and mitigation efforts on the ground. It is for you who cares about Africa and its growth.
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Episodes
Tips to compost kitchen waste in the balcony without a smell
It is a festive season, though with a difference this time due to COVID19. I do not know how you celebrate during festivals, the many African cultures, and honestly, beyond Africa, food is essential. But food wasted and dumped in landfills is heat up by the sun. Over time, it emits greenhouse gases that warm up the planet we live in. As a result, contributing to droughts, floods, landslides, warming of the sea becoming frequent and severe. Today, Maite Guardiola, the co-director of Dudu Dunia, J...
Dec 15, 2020•23 min
How Much Kitchen waste does your household generate?
It's December, and the holiday season is here. Unfortunately, this year's festive season occurs amid a global crisis that keeps us from coming together with our large extended families. But we will still eat and hence generate a lot of household waste, especially from our kitchens. Dudu Dunia, a Kenyan based organisation specialising in composting kitchen waste says 60 percent of Nairobi waste could be transformed into rich fertiliser. But how does this waste we generate and dump on landfills en...
Dec 09, 2020•18 min
Access to Weather alerts saves fishers from Killer Lake Victoria storms
Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and is the primary source of the Nile. Deadly intense thunderstorms build up on the lake at night as fishermen go fishing. The International Red Cross estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 fishermen per year lose their lives in Lake Victoria's violent storms. How does availing weather information to fishers on how the lake weather will look the following day help protect the fishermen's lives.
Dec 02, 2020•37 min
Why is the circular economy the answer to building back better past Covid19 and the climate change crisis?
How can Africa and the world economies build better given the tremendous impacts Covid 19 has had on economies? And not to forget the climate change emergency crisis that UNEP 2019 emission gaps tell us we are already on 3 degrees warmer world pathway. I talked to Davinah Milenge Uwella, the principal program coordinator of the climate change and green growth department at the African development bank, on how adopting a circular economy can help reduce global emissions and grow sustainably.
Nov 24, 2020•34 min
Is Africa Investing enough in understanding its climate impacts for development?
On today's podcast, James Kinyangi, the coordinator for the climate and development special funds for Africa at the African development bank and Mohamad Bamba Sylla, a lead author at the intergovernmental panel on climate change – IPCC - and currently the research chair in climate change science at the African Institute for mathematical sciences Rwanda tacks us through the status of the investment in climate change information and how this is impacting the continents future developments plans.
Nov 17, 2020•38 min
COP26: the road to Glasgow, priorities for Africa
Every year, world leaders meet under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to forge a global response to the climate emergency. During COP 25 held in Madrid, Spain, last December, Africa did not achieve much. But as the world prepares for COP26 now scheduled for the 1st to 12th November 2021 in Glasgow, UK, Arona Soumare, the African Development Bank principle climate change and green growth officer and the spokesperson ...
Nov 10, 2020•43 min
Adaptation: Why it's critical for Africa.
Flooding, droughts, landslides, and cyclones are becoming intense and more frequent. Adaptation offers an alternative solution in addressing these climate change impacts affecting communities, and economies, especially those with limited coping mechanisms and capacity. In this episode, the African Development Bank Group managers Al Hamdou Dorsouma - Climate Adaptation and Green Growth and Gareth Phillips - Climate and Environment Manager, address why adaptation is critical for the continent and ...
Nov 03, 2020•41 min
Economics of Climate Change; Challenges and Opportunities.
Africa is growing. The continent comprises 54 countries with diverse ecosystems - from deserts, coastal environments, mountain environments, savanna grasslands, and forests. Combined, Africa emits about four percent of all global emissions but has seen adverse impacts of climate change. Anthony Nyong, the Climate Change and Green Growth Director at the African Development Bank, says the continent deserves the space to grow. Part of that growth will require some levels of emissions being generate...
Oct 27, 2020•51 min
Green Economy Series Trailer
In recent years many African countries have experienced severe climate-related crises. The continent is already battling the increasing climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth. But amid all the climate-related challenges, Africa has to grow. But what opportunities does the green economy bring that African governments, financial institutions, private sector, the civil society, international organisations can invest in to ensur...
Oct 20, 2020•7 min
Kenya, to succeed in Blue Economy, invest in research and local communities advices scientist
Kenya's marine and coastal fisheries sector supports an estimated two million people directly and indirectly. From fishers, processors, traders, input suppliers, merchants of fishing accessories, and providers of related services. Dr Melchizedek Osore a research scientist at the Kenya Marine and fisheries research institute says despite the important role in income generation, food security, and the projected benefits under the blue economy, the Indian Ocean is now well researched as compared to...
Oct 13, 2020•25 min
Kenyan coastal community fattens crabs to save mangroves.
Nearly 20 years ago, a group of youths at Dabaso village located at the Mida Creek in Watamu - a small coastal town in Kenya, north of Mombasa, were concerned that mangrove forests along the creeks were getting destroyed at an alarming rate. Communities used poison to catch fish and mosquito nets. They embarked on a journey to save the forest and fight the illegal fishing methods. But experts advised them that their efforts would not be sustainable if the locals did not have an alternative livel...
Oct 06, 2020•28 min
Kenyan coastal youths replanting mangroves invites back village delicacy
In the 90's the shoreline at Majaoni village along Mtwapa Creek in Mombasa county was destroyed as communities grew and demand for building materials rose. As a result, the crabs, shrimps, fish disappeared from this shoreline. Furry Ambari the COMENSUM - community Environment Sustainable Mari culture and friends came together to plant these forests afresh and educate their communities on why they need to protect these forests. For the last seven years, they have managed to replant six of the 18 ...
Sep 29, 2020•31 min
Kenyan University producing enough solar energy for use, and selling surplus to the National utility.
Kenya has a remarkable potential in solar energy, but only [1percent (52MW)](https://renewableenergy.go.ke/technologies/solar-energy/) of the country's energy mix has been explored. In 2014, to tap on the high potential, Professor Izael Pereira da Silva the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and innovation, advised the Strathmore university located about five kilometres away from the Nairobi city centre to install a 600megawatts solar project to cut down on escalating power bills. Professor Da Sil...
Sep 22, 2020•20 min
Indigenous knowledge: authentic, sustainable, and the future
According to Prof Muthoni Masinde, a Kenyan born computer scientist, who created a mobile app, Information Technology, and Indigenous Knowledge (ITIKI), alerting farmers on drought via SMS, indigenous knowledge is sustainable, and the future. Indigenous knowledge is that frog clocking near a farmer's house, that tree flowering on the compound and the farmer's cow running joyfully while on its way back from the river. Professor Muthoni Masinde says we have lost close to 50percent of that knowledg...
Sep 15, 2020•29 min
Where bird's chirp tells of good, rich or bad farming season.
Change of weather is not a new phenomenon. From the time in memorial, communities understood how the weather patterns changed. They observed behaviours in plants, insects, birds, people, the astronomic, and cultural beliefs that said it was time to plant. A birds chirping sound or a down dance warned farmers to till the land. They warned of too much or little rains that would be late, or early. But over the years, climate change effects like floods and droughts have become unpredictable and freq...
Sep 08, 2020•31 min
A Kenyan solar-powered bicycle reducing transport emissions
The transport sector accounts for at least 22percent of all global related carbon dioxide emissions according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. In Africa, it accounts for 40 percent of these emissions. Can solar powered three wheeler bicycles help reduce emissions?
Sep 01, 2020•19 min
Community protected natural spring reducing human wildlife conflict
Most of Maasai Mara landscape is arid and semi-arid. As people, their livestock and the wild animals share the same water resources, human-wildlife conflict is inevitable. To solve this problem, a community has conserved natural springs, piping some water to the villages while leaving some for the wild animals.
Aug 24, 2020•28 min
Community Driven Climate Solutions
From time immemorial, human beings have always adapted to the changing environment. The solution series will take you into villages where communities will echo the solutions they have found to the changing weather patterns.
Aug 18, 2020•6 min
How much of your taxes should go into funding research?
Research is critical for development. The Africa Union has set a target of one percent of GDP to be invested in research by African countries. But there is a massive gap in funding research in Africa. Listen to Dr. Omumbo, a senior program manager at the African academy of sciences managing the post-doctoral program, a fellowship program of post-doctoral researchers across Africa.
Aug 04, 2020•21 min
Is Africa investing Enough in Research?
The African Union has set a target of 1 percent of GDP to be invested in research and development by African countries. But data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics show that only South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal are close to this target, investing around 0.8 percent of their GDP. Countries like Nigeria - Africa's largest economy currently spend 0.1 percent of the GDP compared to countries like Singapore, contributing 2.1 percent of the GDP. In this week's edition of the Africa Climate Conv...
Jul 28, 2020•25 min
Africa: Why invest in Science Journalism now?
What is science Journalism all about? Is it essential given this Covid19 and climate change times? In this week's edition of the Africa climate Conversation, Leonie Joubert, a South African science journalist from cape town, also explains why it is critical that African institutions fund journalism.
Jul 21, 2020•29 min
Why is the cost of Finance so high in Africa?
Dealing with Covid19 has proved, if there is a will, there is a way to provide more finance to deal with global issues. But since 2009 in Copenhagen when developed countries pledged to mobilize jointly $100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020 for developing countries to there has existed a push and pull on accounting if the funds have been provided or not. In this week's episode the former Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change Chair, Ambassador Mohamed Nasr answers where we a...
Jul 13, 2020•28 min
Does COP26 Cancellation slow down the climate action momentum?
In April 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UN postponed to 2021 a critical climate summit known as Cop26. It was scheduled to take place in Glasgow UK from 9-20 November. Additionally, the preparatory session of talks that happens at the UN Climate Change's headquarters in Bonn, Germany, every June, first postponed to October, was also postponed to a later date in 2021. This week's edition of the Africa Climate Conversation, the former chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators on Climate...
Jul 07, 2020•28 min
Why is sub-Saharan Africa so Energy poor?
Of the 789 million people without access to electricity globally, nearly 600million of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like Kenya, Ghana, Eswatini, Ethiopia have made great efforts in electrification but still Sub-Saharan Africa is the least energised part of the world despite its abundance in energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal and difference fossil fuels. Linus Mofor a senior environmental officer in charge of Energy, Infrastructure and climate change at the Africa climate P...
Jun 30, 2020•37 min
Covid19 - Economic Impacts on Africa.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), estimates that Covid-19 could cause Africa's economies to shrink by between 1.8 – 2.6 percent possibly pushing 27 million people into extreme poverty. This week on the Africa Climate Conversations, listen to Mr. Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade at the UNECA answer what are the most affected sectors, why is diversification of economies critical for Africa economic recovery and growth, what opportunities exists in the African ...
Jun 23, 2020•30 min
Covid-19 and Climate Change: How can Africa build better given the twin challenge?
On average climate change is costing African economies 2 to 3percent of their GDPs. This is according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). On the hand, Covid19 is costing these economies GDPs between 1.7 to 2.7 percent. On this episode, Jean-Paul Adam the Director for Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management at ECA, shares how best African nations can build better to deal with the twin of climate change, and Covid-19 as well as funding this recovery.
Jun 16, 2020•35 min
Climate Effects: What can you do?
A report by the Africa Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), on economic growth, development and climate change in Africa, stipulates that without action, climate change would impede development across Africa. According to the report, inaction could cost the Western and Eastern Africa nations up to about 15 per cent of their GDP by 2050. But, Dr Zablone Owiti, a Climate Scientist with SouthSouthNorth (SSN) says, investing in balcony gardens in...
Jun 09, 2020•27 min
Climate Change: an Introduction
Droughts, and floods in Africa has intensified. In about three months, flooding has affected 1.3 million people in the Horn of Africa according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Many weather stations in the Horn of African countries are recording their highest amounts of rainfall in 40 years. This episode explains the difference between weather and climate, defines climate change and explains why the East Africa Region has been receiving excess r...
Jun 03, 2020•29 min
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