The Climate Reality Project, a non-profit climate action organization founded in 2006 by former US Vice President Al Gore, has successfully hosted an event in Accra, Ghana.
The three-day conference took place at the Accra International Conference Center, with several speakers and stakeholders from different parts of the world participating.
Participants were engaged in workshops on climate science, its impacts, and potential solutions.
They were also empowered to effectively organize and advocate for transformative change within their educational institutions, workplaces, and local communities.
One of the speakers at the conference, Mohammed, the Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, in an interview with Citi News, after his discussion with Former US Vice-President Al Gore, called on African leaders to work towards addressing the continent’s food and energy needs in a sustainable manner that ensures prosperity. According to him, the continent is endowed with the necessary resources, including arable land, a youthful population, and renewable energy resources, to be self-reliant and resilient.
“This continent is incredibly endowed with resources, whether it is arable land, renewable energy resources, and a very youthful population. So we have all the opportunity to address Africa’s food and energy needs but also to help Africa’s prosperity. There’s an opportunity for this continent by itself in a way that puts Africa on a sustainable path that is also resilient. It is on our leaders to help us seize this moment.”
In his interview, Mohammed Adow also pushed for “historic global polluters” to pay a “climate debt” in the form of reparations for being responsible for playing leading roles in energy emissions that are detrimental.
“This continent is home to 17% of the global population, and we account for less than 4% of the emissions, so the rest of the world, particularly the historic polluters, owe us a climate debt in the form of adaptation and also mitigation. There is an opportunity if Africa were to reframe its International Climate negotiations on the basis of climate justice. We will be able to reclaim reparations that allow us to be resilient and also help us power our way out of energy poverty by capitalizing on the incredible renewable energy potential that exists.” – he added.
Ghana’s role in climate action adaption
CEO of the Climate Reality Project Phyllis Cuttino, in an interview with Citi News, also explained that the conference formed part of the Climate Reality Project’s efforts to ensure a series of global training programs that aim to educate and equip climate action advocates with the tools to advance climate solutions.
Phyllis Cuttino explained that since the formation of the Climate Reality Project, some 50,000 persons have been trained. She added that Ghana was chosen for the conference this year because the country is in a “critically important” place due to the adverse effects of climate change in the country.
“Around the World, we have trained 50,000 climate reality leaders, and we have a goal to train the next 50, and that is why we are here in Ghana, because we think that it is a critically important place to be in West Africa to be training leaders here to really make the change we know that needs to happen, not just here in Africa but all around the world.”
“I was really happy here today to see the reactions of folks from the crowd, and the feedback has been impressive. People are happy we are here, and that the impacts of climate change in this region particularly are growing and are catastrophic just like they are all around the world but this is a particularly impacted region so they are glad we are here so they have an opportunity to network and speak to other speakers not just the former Vice-President.”
The CEO of the Climate Reality Project also disclosed that a branch of the project has been working in the country with the aim of influencing climate policy in a way that is sustainable and ensures a ‘healthy future’ for the next generation.
“We have a branch here, and they are working all the time. We have 2000 climate reality leaders on the ground here to try to change policy so that our children and our grandchildren can have a sustainable and healthy future,” – Climate Reality CEO.
The three-day training focused on the potential for the people of West Africa to create a new model of sustainable development and open the door to a better life for millions in the region. Attendees will hear from former US Vice President Al Gore, an esteemed lineup of scientists, and experts from West Africa and across the continent who will provide an overview of the latest climate science, existing policies, future solutions in the region, and opportunities for advocates to make a difference.
Participants of the training initiative are expected to join Climate Reality’s global network of 50,000 climate advocates around the world, including business leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs, concerned citizens, and students dedicated to bold, ambitious climate action.