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CLIMATE Change Football Club (CC FC) and Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), in partnership with Greenfaith, have demanded that the ecological challenges bedeviling African countries be given the required attention at the 27th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) in Egypt.
They made the call at the end of a football match organised in Abuja, to raise awareness on the dangers of climate change and how to mitigate it.
Mr Etta Michael, Founder, Climate Champions FC (CC FC), said it was important to uphold climate justice and spur action for the inclusion of those affected and oppressed by climate change in the global conversation.
According to him, the football game, which has the support of Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), is aimed at achieving the objective of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 13), which advocates for the promotion of climate action.
“With its objective on the Goal for Climate Finance and Adaptation at COP27, we are asking that the issue of loss and damage be urgently addressed.
“This is because Africa’s contribution to the global emissions crisis is infinitesimal, yet it is the most affected by the catastrophic nature of unpredictable changes in the weather pattern.
“So, COP27 must respond to the realities and priorities of Africa’s needs.
“Also, for everyone to be carried along, women, youths, civil society organisations (CSOs), people from Small Island states, indigenous, as well as people with disabilities must be given access to participate and make contributions during the epic climate dialogue.
“We believe that aligning our goal with Lift Humanity Foundation will not only help accelerate our message, but it will also galvanise and ensure the needed support to spark up public action on climate change,” Michael said.
On his part, Mr. Pius Oko, Executive Secretary, LHF, also acknowledged that it is unfair for Africa to continue to suffer for a problem that is known to be created by the industrialised countries.
“COP27 must concentrate on climate justice by seeking ways to deal with the problem of loss and damage.
“It is also expedient that they increase access to finance as the single but most effective solution to bridging the existing environmental gaps that are causing the planet to warm,” he said.
Oko noted that the recent flood that affected more than 30 states in Nigeria, claimed more than 600 lives, and displaced millions of citizens from their original habitat is a clear example of the price that “our people have to pay for a problem caused by others.
“I see this year’s conference as another unique opportunity for African nations to restructure the climate change narrative to reflect their most critical needs.
“COP27 should focus on the solutions that are embedded within Africa’s traditions and indigenous knowledge.
“For COP27 to deliver its expected outcome, it must move from rhetoric to demonstrable action and ensure that the 50:50 split target between mitigation and adaptation finance is met”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that COP 27 conference is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), expected to begin from Nov. 6 to Nov. 18, in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt.(NAN)
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Tags: Climate Change Football Club Etta Michael
