By Ethel Sillah
As a nation, we must confidently take bold and proactive measures to address climate change and prioritize our commitments. We recognize that climate change is not solely an environmental issue but also a matter of human rights. It is imperative that we set clear objectives and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to tackling these challenges.
We cannot afford to ignore the urgent need to address climate change challenges regarding human rights in Sierra Leone. We must also not neglect the root causes, but instead, take decisive steps to prevent and minimize them. Our environment is not just a local concern; it affects the entire planet. We must recognize that we all are interconnected and that every action we take has a global impact.
Sierra Leone is blessed with rich biodiversity, and it is our responsibility to protect it for the benefit of our country and the world. The mountains and mangroves in Freetown play a critical role in mitigating climate change challenges, yet humans are destroying them at an alarming rate due to urbanization and development.
Whereas rural communities in coastal areas depend on mangroves as their primary source of income generation, urban dwellers equally rely on the remaining forests for fuel, medicine, and other necessities such as timber for housing. The excessive depletion of mangroves and forests is a cause for serious environmental and economic concern. We cannot continue to stand by and allow these natural resources to be destroyed at the expense of our environment and the well-being of our people. The sustainable management of these resources is therefore important for the cultural and socio-economic welfare of the individuals.
As a nation, we need to set clear objectives and demonstrate our commitment to addressing climate change. We must recognize that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also a matter of human rights and moral obligation. It is essential that we take a stand and lead by example, showing the world that even as developing country, we are dedicated to making significant efforts to combat climate change.
As the negative impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, become more evident, the economic value of coastal wetlands and the remaining forest covers for protection will also increase as the need for their buffering services becomes more critical.
It also important to note that climate change threatens the actual satisfaction of people including rights to life, water and sanitation, food, health, housing and development. Notwithstanding this, when the right policies are in place to include human rights into climate action policies, there will be a cohesive approach in mitigating climate change challenges. Leading to clear, sustainable and effective outcomes.
As we welcome the rain season this year, I admonish authorities and local actors to stay vigilant and prepared for a swift response in the event of triggered human-climate change occurrences across the nation.
Let us take action now to protect our environment, preserve our forests, and pave the way for a sustainable future.
