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Musawenkosi Moyo
YOUTHS in Bulawayo are taking steps to combat climate change and its effects on the city and this comes at a crucial time as the city grapples with severe water shortages linked to the effects of climate change.
Speaking on the sidelines of the announcement of Micro-grant awardees for the City of Bulawayo Youth Climate Action Fund, Thabani Singwago (24), a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing in Natural Resources Management at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), emphasised the urgent need for youth to take action against climate change.
Singwago said there was an urgent need for youths to take action against climate change, given its catastrophic impact on communities and the world.
“We see now that our community faces many problems linked to climate change, such as water and electricity shortages, which are essential for people’s lives. As the future generation, we must take steps to protect it,” he said.
Singwago, representing the Nust Geographic Information System in Remote Sensing department, secured a USD$5 000 microgrant from the city council to combat climate-related issues.
His team was one of ten recipients chosen from 108 applicants, demonstrating the strong interest young people have in creating a sustainable future.
“The money will be used to create a database for Bulawayo city that will include information about carbon emissions, their sources, and contributors. We will also investigate waste management, transportation, and deforestation,” said Singwago.
Speaking during the handout ceremony for the micro-grant for youths in climate action, the Mayor Senator David Coltart applauded the city’s youth for their participation in climate action-related issues.
“We received an overwhelming number of applications. Our young people were clearly energised across the city, which was very encouraging to us city fathers and mothers because it indicated to us that we don’t have to persuade youths about the issue of climate change; it is obviously close to your hearts.
“Young people see the threat to communities and the need to play key roles going forward to combat climate change. We have a rich field of expertise among young people, and that gives us all great hope for the future,” said the mayor.
He further stressed the importance of taking action against the onset of climate change in our communities, where water shortages have become a major problem.
“Our dams are currently sitting at 30 percent, which is catastrophic. We are in danger of running out of raw water in our city if we have another season like the last one,” he said.
He stated that the council is horrified by the situation at Insiza Dam, which is also worsened by the advent of gold panners who are digging water systems, meaning that even if it rains in the coming season, much of the water will not make it into dams.
Another youth leader, Thubelihle Rosyln Ndhlovu, representing Young African Leaders Initiative Regional Leadership Centre (YALIRLC), which also won a micro-grant of USD$5 000 from the city council, said that their goal was to educate many people in communities around the city and to motivate youths to venture into green skills.
She urged communities and corporations to assist in the fight against climate change.
“These grants are important in empowering youths and giving them the opportunity to save their communities from climate-related problems. Youths and corporates should all be climate advocates,” said Ndhlovu.
Online Reporter