Kasese youth initiative on climate changes
0

Kasese

Western

Apr. 18, 2024

About this Act

For over a decade, Kasese District has grappled with the relentless onslaught of floods, stemming from the tumultuous waters of River Nyamwamba in Kilembe. The wanton destruction of forest cover, evidenced by a staggering 70% decline from 2002 to 2022 (5579.73ha to 1690.25ha), has rendered the land alarmingly susceptible to the ravages of flooding. This precipitous decline is attributed primarily to population pressures, with built-up areas expanding by 9% and agricultural lands by 15% during the same period. The burgeoning population, fueled by an annual growth rate of 5.3%, exacerbates environmental degradation, with immigration playing a significant role. Consequently, the municipality grapples with rising temperatures, altered seasons, and the melting of snow on Mount Rwenzori, unleashing torrents of water that inundate the region. Moreover, the desiccation of mountain bogs diminishes the land's natural water retention capacity, exacerbating flood risks in the Rwenzori region.

Nestled amidst the majestic landscapes of Kasese District, Kasese Municipality stands as a bastion of resilience in the face of climate adversity. My friends and I founded the Kasese Youth Initiative on Climate Change, a non-profit association which emerges as a beacon of hope, dedicated to advocating, educating, and taking action to confront the profound challenges posed by climate change.

Objectives:

Comprehensive Awareness Campaigns:Engage stakeholders across schools, churches, and community forums through targeted awareness campaigns.Disseminate educational materials highlighting the urgency of climate action and the interconnectedness of environmental and societal well-being.
Reforestation and Land Rehabilitation:Harness the 1393 acres of open space within Kasese Municipality for strategic reforestation initiatives.Prioritize lands for tree planting based on ecological vulnerability assessments, with Nyamwamba Division earmarked for significant intervention.Collaborate with government agencies and local stakeholders to secure land tenure for tree planting endeavors, particularly on government-owned lands.Implement agroforestry systems to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity.
Capacity Building and Skills Development:Empower youth and community members with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable land management and climate-resilient agriculture.Facilitate training workshops, field demonstrations, and knowledge exchange programs to build local capacity in agroecological practices and land restoration techniques.
Policy Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement:Advocate for the formulation and implementation of policies supportive of climate resilience and sustainable land management.Forge partnerships with governmental bodies, civil society organizations, and local communities to amplify voices for environmental conservation and climate action.Lobby for the integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures into municipal development plans and regulatory frameworks.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management:Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the effectiveness of interventions and assess progress towards stated objectives.Utilize participatory approaches to engage stakeholders in the co-design and evaluation of climate resilience initiatives.Employ feedback loops to inform adaptive management strategies, ensuring interventions remain contextually relevant and responsive to evolving environmental dynamics.