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Africa Moyo
Deputy News Editor
It has been a remarkable year for Christabel Mhiribidi, a Geography and Environmental Studies student from the Midlands State University (MSU).
She attended her first Conference of the Parties (COP 27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, this year and was selected among 20 global youths who met United Nations Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres, to hand over climate concerns from youths.
Later on during COP 27, Christabel was invited to be a panelist during a number of side events at the climate conference, where she spoke passionately about the need for the world to take seriously the need to fight climate change.
Towards the end of COP 27, she was nominated for the national Climate Activism Award 2022.
Thirteen other climate activists including Natalie Gwatirisa and Mellisa Murwira, who also attended COP 27, were nominated for the award.
Christabel, who works with the ZELA Youth Network, eventually won the award to crown what has turned out to be a great year for her.
The award, sponsored by Ignite Youth, was presented on December 9 in Borrowdale, Harare.
Ignite Youth aims to recognise and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of socially responsible youths between the ages of 13 and 35, who would have positively contributed to society through a variety of initiatives and who exemplify servant leadership.
Interestingly, servant leadership is demanded by President Mnangagwa, and has always advised voters to reject leaders who think more of themselves and not the ordinary people.
And after winning the award, Christabel is naturally ecstatic.
In an interview this week, she said: “I feel honoured and motivated to continue working towards a good cause. Getting the award means a lot to me, it actually means all my efforts in environmental advocacy and climate change initiatives are worthwhile.”
In her work, Christabel interacts with grassroots communities, the elderly, youths and children, and says she is determined to ensure everyone participates in the fight against climate change.
She added that winning the Ignite Youth Award means that the journey “has just begun and l need to brace up and face the world”.
“There is no time to backslide, sit back, nor space for hesitation for our sake and for the sake of the future generations.
“The world today is faced with the triple planetary crisis with pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. This alone serves as a reminder that I have a role to play towards saving the 8 billion members of the human family, particularly children who are the least contributors, yet the most affected and a crucial role in creating a conducive space for survival for the generations to come,” said Christabel.
There was serious haggling during negotiations at COP 27, with the biggest polluters not keen to take responsibility for their actions.
Developing countries were happy that at least, developed countries agreed to take responsibility for the losses and damages they suffered as a result of climate change, when building back.
But question marks are still on how the loss and damage fund would be operationalised, if at all the wealthy countries keep their promise, since they have become masters in shifting goal posts.
Christabel said the global climate action would be won or lost “in this crucial decade”.
“What that means is that we need to have everyone on-board, hands-on climate adaptation and mitigation. We need to devise practical, long-lasting solutions that will enable us to dwell in a safe environment.
“I envision myself working with the children and young people considering how they define tomorrow. I will establish more environmental clubs especially in grassroots communities and to leverage on the already existing structures.
“I intend to embark on a sustainable waste management project that repurposes plastic waste to make into bins, bags, piggy banks, pencil cases, woven baskets, laundry baskets, among others. Following the most recent environmental education talk we had as MSU Environmental Society that was supported by ZELA and its Terres Des Hommes partner in commemoration of the Global Action month, we discovered we can make vases out of plastic, a project that is being implemented by Ms Saidi from Shumbakhadzi Cooperative, with the support of the institution,” she said.
Turning plastic into other usable materials is critical as it has caused chaos in oceans, on farmland and blocking sewer pipes.
Almost all plastic comes from materials made from fossil fuels, mainly oil and gas.
Christabel said the process of extracting and transporting those fuels to manufacturing plastic creates billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases, which contribute immensely to the climate challenge and pose a threat on wildlife.
Online Reporter