By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERA LEONE – Laura Lalor, the Country Director of Trocaire Sierra Leone, has underscored the imperative for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to establish a robust network dedicated to addressing climate change and adaptation concerns in Sierra Leone. Speaking at the commencement of a three-day workshop focused on climate change and climate adaptation in the country, Lalor emphasized the need for CSOs to amplify the voices of local communities, advocating for climate justice.
The workshop convened CSOs from across the nation at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023. Lalor explained that the meeting’s objective was to mobilize civil society actors, fostering a network to advocate for policies and actions aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change in Sierra Leone.
Lalor highlighted that the discussion was financially supported by Irish Aid, with the aim of engaging civil society organizations to create a conducive environment for achieving climate justice. The three-day event also aimed to strengthen coordination, raise public awareness, identify avenues for mobilizing additional resources, and enhance collaboration to implement climate action.
The Country Director asserted the undeniable reality of climate change, citing the numerous disasters experienced worldwide, including Sierra Leone, in recent months. She pointed out that the global mean temperature had temporarily exceeded the critical 1.5-degree Celsius mark, resulting in extreme weather events across all seven continents.
Lalor implored CSOs to establish a vibrant network dedicated to climate change issues, emphasizing the importance of representing the perspectives of farmers, youth, and other stakeholders. She affirmed Trocaire’s commitment to supporting the network’s functionality in the coming years.
In his keynote address, Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Aidan Fitzpatrick, stressed the necessity for Sierra Leone to strive towards becoming a climate-resilient nation. He recommended that CSOs and other concerned stakeholders leverage advocacy as a potent tool and involve youth in climate change efforts.
Ambassador Fitzpatrick also emphasized the need for raising awareness about climate change issues, stating that informed and motivated individuals are crucial for driving action on climate change. He concluded by urging collaboration rather than reinventing the wheel.
Professor Alhaji Njai of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance underscored the existential threat posed by climate change to humanity, both for the present and future generations. He called for concerted efforts to address climate change and cautioned against activities harmful to the environment, such as deforestation and sand mining.
Eric Masallay, Director of NGO Affairs at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED), highlighted that climate change concerns align with President Bio’s Big Five Agendas, which aim to build resilience in the face of climate change. SKS/27/9/2023