International concern about climate change is rising, though international action lags behind.
While there is a wealth of reports and data demonstrating the effect that climate change will have at global and regional levels, the voices of individuals on the front line are heard less often.
Joining with four other development NGOs, Self Help Africa has produced a report – Climate Frontline Africa – which allows these voices to be heard directly. They describe, in their own words, how climate change is affecting them, and how they are adapting.
The report’s publication is timed to coincide with the forthcoming international conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December.
The five NGOs involved in its compilation believe that action to tackle climate change must start by listening to and supporting those on the ‘climate frontline’.
The farmers accounts in Climate Frontline demonstrate clearly that: climate change is already a major challenge in vulnerable areas which is most of Africa, that people are adapting as best they can, building on local knowledge and diversifying livelihoods, that There is lots of knowledge and good practice to share and learn from, but much more support is needed - in the form of sufficient, fair and reliable funding for adaptation that is spent in a coordinated, responsive and cost-effective way.
The publication is the work of Self Help Africa in collaboration with Development Fund of Norway, Find Your Feet, Concern Universal, and Farm Africa. It has been made possible with support from Small Foundation. |
