A myriad of promises were made, and all the red carpets were pulled out for the dignitaries, but many missed the main objective that was achieved: Amalgamating the continent’s position on the current climate crisis ahead of COP 28 in Dubai.

KAMPALA - A recent study titled “Climate Change in Africa: Are Africans Sleepwalking to Disaster?” conducted by Africa No Filter has unveiled startling revelations about the continent’s climate change discourse. The research aimed to decode online conversations surrounding climate change in Africa by examining mainstream African news sources, Twitter discussions, and Google searches from October 2020 to September 2021.

Justine Tumushabe, a 53-year-old widow in Kashenyi Village, Ishaka Division in Bushenyi District, has been using firewood for cooking for as long as she can remember. On a gloomy Monday afternoon following a rainy morning, she is up and about on the nearby farm gathering some dry wood, dry enough to light a fire so she can prepare lunch.

Lying on the outskirts of Thika, 65 kilometres from Kenya’s capital city is a sight to behold. Kenya’s second largest river, The Athi River, pours into fourteen successive waterfalls as it winds its way down towards the Kenyan coast. The falls are known to members of the local kikuyu community as ‘Thagana’ which translates to ‘the place of great noise’ in reference to the sound the water makes as it goes down the different gorges.

River Rwizi, in Mbarara, is not just on a blink of extinction, but a catastrophe waiting to happen. It burst its banks a few years ago and washed away four bridges – Kitobero, Kanyeite, Katete and Culvert bridge in Kyarwabuganda – pausing a huge threat on the lives of people. It’s already affecting the ecosystem, biodiversity, and climate.

21st July 2023 saw enthusiastic moviegoers spoilt for choice between two Hollywood blockbusters – Barbie and Oppenheimer. Barbie – starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, written by the talented Greta Gerwig. And Oppenheimer – starring, Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt, written by Christopher Nolan. To quote the legendary Martin Scorsese, “This is cinema.”

Planting trees aid in mitigating climate change but cannot single-handedly reverse it. We must also safeguard ecosystems and stop deforestation that reverse tree growing efforts. As long as trees survive, they retain carbon within them, and trees can live for extended periods, spanning decades or even centuries. Trees act as natural "carbon sinks."

BERLIN: For the 9th time, the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue brought together world leaders, ministers, industry experts, and academics to discuss mechanisms to achieve a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. 

On February 8, 2023, Uganda’s National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) belted out several environmental breaches that will effective April 1 attract hefty fines under the new Express Penalty Scheme if not adhered to. 

The other day, I was zigzagging through Najjera potholes on my way to my place of abode in the affluent suburb of Mulawa, Kira. Now, this place is renowned for fairly educated younger folks driving secondhand automobiles and staying on rented pads. Perhaps working for a blue-chipped company in the CBD. The point I am driving at (see what I did there?) is you’d imagine them to have ‘sense’ right on top of their shoulders. I mean, they went to school, and have access to basic information about, not only climate change, but what’s happening around the world.

Under the theme “Your Hand in Combating Climate Change, Last Drop Africa features change and solution makers in Uganda who are using whatever tools, skills, and knowledge at their disposal to tackle the climate crisis. In this episode of the Last Drop Africa Podcast, Bella Twine sists down with ChargeKo and Kaara Founder, Geofrey Mutabazi to discuss his energy solutions.

Adjumani District in the West Nile sub-region is one of Uganda’s most water-stressed districts. The problem was further compounded by the conflicts in South Sudan that occasioned a massive exodus of refugees into the area.