Tunis — Forty years after, the Earth is still in the throes of climate change
From Ndjamena to Washington D.C. AfDB President continues to battle climate change
When the very first Earth Day was born on April 22, 1970, the African Development Bank (AfDB) was in its early formative years with total loans and grants numbering barely 15 for a cumulative commitment of just USD 24,5 millions.
The birth of the Earth Day coincided with the Bank's 7th Annual Board of Governors Meeting celebrated that year at Fort Lamy (Ndjamena). In a climate fragile State, like Chad, with desert encroachment, drought and the perennial shrinking of Lake Chad, the only message Abdelwahab Labidi, (elected there as second President of young institution) could offer his hosts was the need to change their attitudes including their ways of farming, rearing and cooking in order to protect their environment.
Forty years after, not only the African populations find themselves in the throes of consistent climate vagaries but the world as a whole is in greater peril than ever.
Today AfDB President Donald Kaberuka approaches climate change is one the greatest challenges of our time. Consequently he has been battling on fronts, setting up a special climate related Unit, having legal operational frameworks approved by the Board, creating special Climate change funds, partnering with other MDBs to mobilize global climate resources etc.
The Bank represents the African voice that succeeded proclaiming load and clear that climate change reflects to a large extent, the unsustainable growth path followed in the past by the developed economies themselves and of course some developing economies. This implies a more global and more scientific acceptance that an incessant and non-judicious use of the world's natural resources had increased global pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The evidence has also led to an international consensus regarding the need for extensive green economic growth and the search for sustainable climate protecting growth models.
The financial and economic crises present opportunities to revisit the path of development and to restructure our development approaches and strategies. Earth Day 2010 can therefore be celebrated from a more positive perspective. This is the message of the African Development Bank working in concert with its development partners, MDBs etc. As the Bank President and a strong AfDB delegation head for the World Bank spring meeting this week, the Bank is optimistic about carrying along the entire continent in issues of climate change.
The Earth Day 2010 therefore provides an opportunity to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is currently galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for the Bank to deepen its commitment to Africa's climate related issues.
Created by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day is observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries.
Contacts
Ernest Achonu
