From the 15th to the 17th August 2023,Green Scenery organized three days Stakeholders Consultative Meetings/workshops for the development of climate change advocacy plan and Strategy for the restoration and protections of the Western Area(Freetown) Peninsular Forest(Park) of Sierra Leone. The meetings/workshops brought together actors from different works of life’s, includes : Civil society organizations , Government(MDAs), Media, Communities rep, International Non Governmental Organizations(INGOs) ,Students and private sector.
Climate change refers to an increase in average global temperatures, or variance and changes in weather patterns.
In Sierra Leone, natural events and human activities such as deforestation, increasing population pressure, intensive agricultural land use, overgrazing, bush burning and wildfires, massive logging, sand and rock mining, unplanned settlement expansion, poor waste management, extraction of fuel wood and other biotic resources are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperatures.
Sierra Leone is experiencing adverse climate conditions with negative impacts on the welfare of millions of Sierra Leoneans. Flooding during the rainy season, off-season rains, and harsh dry spells have sent growing seasons out of cycle; in a country dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Alarm bells are ringing. Lakes and streams are drying up. There is a reduction in river flows due to the loss of riparian forests and heavy sedimentation from land degradation and erosion. The water table quickly reaches its lowest ebb because of high temperatures and surface exposure to the sun. Freetown’s water source, the Guma Valley no longer holds water to a sustainable capacity that should serve the water needs of the city because large tracks of the Peninsular forests, a National Park are being degraded at an irreparable rate from rock mining, infrastructure, and housing expansion.
As a result of above ills ,Green Scenery solicits support from TROCAIRE for the implementation of the Climate change advocacy campaign project for the restoration, protection and preservation of the Western Area National park.
Therefore, The main Objective of the three days workshop is to develop a compressive climate change advocacy action plan for Green scenery and it development partners. The workshop/ stakeholders consultative meetings hope to further developed compressive action plan for the launching of the advocacy campaign plan based on the outcomes obtained from the workshop.
STATEMENTS: In the opening session, various statement were made includes:
The Chairpersons, Board of Directors of GSSL’s ,Madam Hellen Bash Taqi underscored the workshop’s purpose in fostering knowledge exchange and capacity enhancement among stakeholders.
The Executive Director of GSSL, Joseph Rahall,“ said the globe convene to confront one of the most pressing challenges of climate change era. The Western Area Rural District is acutely susceptible, necessitating the development of a comprehensive strategy to both adapt to and mitigate the far-reaching consequences of this global crisis.”
Rahall further integrated that , “the onset of a dynamic 6-month climate change advocacy campaign, designed to deepen comprehension of climate change risks and impacts. It will serve as a catalyst for behavioral transformations and societal supports, particularly among the women and youth of the Western Area Rural District.” He expressed hope that the workshop’s outcomes would lay the foundation for forthcoming initiatives and inspire heightened cooperation to confront climate change within the Western Area. Rahall accentuated the urgency of addressing climate change challenges prevalent in the Western Area. The Executive director highlighted the dire effects of climate change on local ecosystems, agriculture, and vulnerable communities, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative endeavors to counteract its repercussions.
Green Scenery remains steadfast in its commitment to driving change and championing sustainable practices, safeguarding the environment and bolstering resilience against climate change,” Rahall concluded.
Trocaire representative, Brima Manasaray , affirmed its organization dedication to endorsing initiatives that grapple with climate change and advance sustainable development. Brima Mansaray, Trocaire’s lauded local partnerships as pivotal in combatting climate change and hailed Green Scenery’s tireless contributions.
Mansaray expressed,
“Trocaire is pleased with the workshop, because its closely aligns with the organization mission in advocating for environmental justice and sustainability. He said Trocaire recognized the pivotal role played by local organizations like Green Scenery in driving change and devising innovative solutions to confront climate change.”
Aruna Williams, representing the EPA, spotlighted the government’s steadfast commitment to combatting climate change and preserving the environment. He highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to draft policies and regulations that underscore sustainable practices across diverse sectors. Williams affirmed, “Climate change is a global imperative demanding swift action. EPA stands resolute in its collaboration with entities like Green Scenery, jointly crafting impactful strategies and policies that shield our environment and secure the well-being of future generations.
Over the subsequent three days, the workshop’s agenda will feature expert presentations, interactive sessions, and collaborative discussions, all aimed at identifying distinctive climate change challenges inherent to the Western Area Rural District. Participants will collaboratively shape an all-encompassing strategy and advocacy blueprint to surmount the region’s unique climate challenges.
The six-months climate change advocacy campaign, which is supported by Trocaire, is meant to further a better understanding of the risks and effects of climate change that will motivate and facilitate both behavioral change and societal support for the actions needed to address climate change, as well as give local advocates, communities, and people within the Western Area Rural District (especially women and youth) more voice, agency, and visibility in a change processes. See Workshop Report 2023 (http://greenscenery.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gree-Scenery-Three-Days-Climate-Change-Advocacy-Workshop-Report.pdf )
