Ethiopia is making all the necessary preparations to host the Second African Summit on Climate Change from September 8-10 in Addis Ababa. Some 100 guests will deliver speeches on the summit. A total of 2500 participants from around the world and Africa are expected to participate on the Summit to be held at Addis Abba Convention Center. The author dedicates this article to the Summit and expects that Africa will chart out new and integrated approach for the challenges the confinement is facing from climate change over time.
Climate change in Africa significantly exacerbates poverty through various channels, including agriculture, water resources, and extreme weather events, disproportionately affecting already vulnerable populations. This leads to food insecurity, displacement, and increased conflict, hindering sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts.
Climate change, with its erratic rainfall patterns and increased temperatures, leads to decreased agricultural productivity, particularly in rain-fed agriculture, which is crucial for many African economies. Droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events disrupt food production, leading to food shortages and price increases, impacting food access and affordability, especially for the poor. Climate change-related droughts and water scarcity can decimate livestock populations, a significant source of income and food for many African communities, further exacerbating poverty.
Many African regions are already water-stressed, and climate change is intensifying this problem through reduced rainfall and increased evaporation, affecting access to clean water for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture. Water scarcity and poor sanitation contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases, negatively impacting public health and increasing healthcare costs, especially for poor households.
Increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods lead to displacement, damage to infrastructure, and loss of livelihoods, pushing vulnerable populations further into poverty.
Extreme weather events cause significant economic damage through crop losses, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to economic activity, impacting overall economic growth and poverty reduction efforts. Climate-related disasters and resource scarcity can force people to migrate in search of food, water, and livelihoods, leading to increased competition for resources and potential conflict.
Climate change can exacerbate existing social and political tensions, increasing the risk of conflict over scarce resources, further hindering development and perpetuating poverty. In conclusion, climate change poses a significant threat to poverty reduction in Africa, requiring urgent and comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the multifaceted challenges it presents. …
Ethiopia faces numerous climate change-induced challenges, including increased frequency and severity of droughts and floods, impacting agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods.
These extreme weather events lead to food insecurity, displacement, and potential conflicts. Environmental degradation, such as soil erosion and deforestation, further exacerbates these issues, making Ethiopia particularly vulnerable to climate change. Increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods , impacting crop yields, livestock, and water availability. Land degradation, soil erosion, and deforestation are reducing agricultural productivity and increasing vulnerability to climate shocks.
Reduced agricultural yields and livestock losses due to climate extremes lead to widespread food insecurity and potential famine. Changes in rainfall patterns and increased evaporation rates are causing water shortages, affecting both human consumption and agriculture. Heat waves, increased incidence of vector-borne and water-borne diseases, and respiratory illnesses are exacerbated by climate change. Climate-induced migration and competition for scarce resources can lead to displacement and potential conflicts.
Reduced agricultural productivity, damage to infrastructure, and increased healthcare costs are impacting Ethiopia’s economy. Addis Ababa faces challenges related to urban flooding, heat waves, and inadequate infrastructure to cope with climate-related events. Climate change-related health problems, such as mortality and morbidity due to floods and heat waves, vector-borne diseases, water…
The Green Legacy Initiative, Ethiopia’s Food Security Strategies, Yelemat Tirufat, and the Seqota Declaration are all based on Ethiopia’s Climate Change Resilient Green Economy Policy and Strategy and are interconnected efforts focused on improving food security in Ethiopia, with the Green Legacy Initiative acting as a foundation for sustainable development.
The Green Legacy Initiative aims to combat deforestation and improve the environment through large-scale tree planting, which in turn contributes to food security by improving soil health, water resources, and climate resilience. Yelemat Tirufat, a development program, focuses on boosting productivity in key agricultural areas like dairy, eggs, chicken, and honey, directly addressing food security and nutritional needs.
The Seqota Declaration, while focused on a specific region, likely seeks to integrate these approaches to create a sustainable and food-secure future for that area, potentially by applying the principles of the Green Legacy and Yelemat Tirufat in a localized context. The Green Legacy Initiative, a large-scale tree planting program, is crucial for addressing environmental degradation, which is a major obstacle to food security. Planting trees helps prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and enhance water retention, all of which are vital for agricultural productivity.
The initiative helps mitigate climate change impacts, making agriculture more resilient to droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges. By improving the environment, the Green Legacy Initiative creates a more stable and productive agricultural system, contributing to long-term food security.
Yelemat Trufat program specifically focuses on increasing the production of key food items like dairy, eggs, chicken, and honey, addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving food availability. Yelemat Tirufat often involves supporting farmers and pastoralists, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring access to nutritious food. In terms of nutritional security, the initiative aims to improve the nutritional status of the population by promoting the consumption of a diverse range of food products.
The Seqota Declaration is likely a specific initiative or plan focused on improving food security in the Seqota region of Ethiopia. It’s likely that the Seqota Declaration incorporates elements of both the Green Legacy Initiative and Yelemat Tirufat to address the unique challenges and opportunities of the region. The declaration likely aims to create a sustainable and food-secure future for the Seqota region by integrating environmental protection, agricultural development, and community empowerment.
The three initiatives work synergistically. The Green Legacy Initiative provides the environmental foundation, Yelemat Tirufat addresses specific food production needs, and the Sekota Declaration provides a localized framework for sustainable development.
This interconnected approach to food security recognizes the importance of both environmental sustainability and targeted agricultural development. These initiatives are all part of a larger vision for Ethiopia’s sustainable development, aiming to create a more resilient, food-secure, and prosperous nation. Ethiopia has seen recent advancements in both its Green Legacy Initiative and the Seqota Declaration.
The Green Legacy Initiative, focused on tree planting and environmental rehabilitation, has seen significant milestones, including the planting of millions of seedlings around refugee settlements. The Seqota Declaration, aiming to end child stunting by 2030, has shown progress in reducing stunting and child mortality through multi-sectoral interventions.
Ethiopia has launched campaigns to plant millions of trees, including initiatives fruit trees in the form of food forests. The initiative involves community sensitization on environmental rehabilitation, climate change, and natural resource management.
The Green Legacy Initiative which was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed six years back aims to restore degraded ecosystems and promote the development of natural resources, engaging all segments of society including an average of 30 million participants on watershed afforestation programs every year.. Ethiopia is developing policies, like the draft proclamation on payments for ecosystem services, to incentivize the protection of natural resources.
Ethiopia plans to promote the Green Legacy Initiative as a model for regional environmental change, inspiring other African nations.
The Green Legacy Initiative is playing a crucial role in Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform by contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic growth. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about a holistic approach to development that integrates environmental conservation with economic progress.
The initiative has led to a significant increase in forest cover, improving soil quality, reducing erosion, and enhancing water availability. By increasing forest cover, Ethiopia is boosting its carbon sequestration capacity, which is crucial for mitigating climate change and potentially generating carbon credits.
The initiative helps protect Ethiopia’s rich biodiversity, which is vital for ecosystem health and long-term sustainability.
The Green Legacy Initiative has created numerous jobs in rural areas, particularly in tree planting, nursery operations, and related activities. The initiative promotes agroforestry, which supports the development of thriving value chains in products like timber, honey, and spices, contributing to rural livelihoods. By focusing on sustainable land management and resource utilization, the initiative contributes to the growth of a green economy.
Ethiopia’s commitment to environmental sustainability, as demonstrated by the Green Legacy Initiative, makes it an attractive destination for climate finance and green investments. The initiative is deeply integrated with Ethiopia’s broader economic development strategy, recognizing that climate change impacts productivity and that environmental sustainability is essential for long-term economic growth.
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 16, July 2025
