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Understanding Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in Zambia

  Understanding Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in Zambia By Raphael Banda. Over the years, we have been hearing words like climate adaptation and mitigation, but have these terminologies played any role in the fight against climate change in Zambia or elsewhere in Africa? By definition , climate adaptation means the process of adjusting to the effects of climate change and climate mitigation means decarbonization or an   action to limit the  greenhouse gases  in the atmosphere that cause  climate change . These terminologies play a huge role in the quest to embrace climate resilience. I (as an environmental journalist and media trainer) feel that these terminologies have not helped very much to fight climate change effects here in Zambia. Writers ,advocates and   journalists must use such terminologies when addressing policy makers or making presentations at high level meetings like the forth coming COP 29 for possible policy shift. But for a common man or community actio
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The Impact of Climate Change on Fisheries and Aquatic lives

  By Raphael Banda The Impact of Climate Change on Aquatic Life needs concerted efforts. The impact of climate change has had devasting effects on both human and aquatic lives in the recent past. Zambia and two of her neighbouring countries are grappling with the climate change effects that have resulted in drought and food insecurity in the affected regions. We ( environmental journalists/media development trainers ) and other environmental enthusiasts should give close attention and action on climate change impact on fisheries and aquatic lives too. According to reliable statistics, over 58 million people globally are employed in the primary fish sector and 600 million in the secondary fish sector. This sector has, however, been harshly affected by climate change. According to (IPCC 2021) report, 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming is absorbed by the ocean/rivers which are home to fisheries/aquatic lives. This has major implications on animals that live in thes
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The 2024 World Refugees Day Recommendations and Commendations

  The 2024 World Refugees Day Recommendations and Commendations. In the picture, World Vision/UNICEF Zambia representatives handing over the borehole at Meheba Refugees settlement a few years ago.   By Raphael Banda Over the years, Zambia has continued to host refugees, asylum-seekers and other people of concern and the number currently stands at   about 105,000.     Hence embarking on a journey of resilience and compassion towards comprehensive refugee protection and integration in refugees’ settlements such as Maheba in Northwestern Province, Mantapala in Luapula and Mayukwayukwa in Western province.   Rooted in humanitarian principles and enshrined within the National Refugee Policy, Zambia’s vision go beyond borders to foster social cohesion, economic development, and safeguard the fundamental rights of all individuals. This monumental journey began in 2019, with the inception of a pioneering Refugee Policy by the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees under the Minist
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LET US RE-ECHO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BEES

  LET US RE-ECHO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BEES The theme for 2024 “Bee Engaged with Youth." By Raphael Banda- Media Trainer   May 20 each year we celebrate the role that bees play in the ecosystem and this year’s theme was ‘Bee Engaged with Youth’.   The subject emphasizes the role that young people and media may play in preserving pollinators like bees.     To place emphasis on the need to protect bees and other insects as they are key to our food security, on April 9 th 2024 , I gave a brief write up on the importance of bees. Read and share your thoughts: Most of us naturally complain when we are stung by the bees and feel good when the bee is found life-less yet we all love honey produced by the same bees. But, there is need for the change of mindset and focus our energies towards protecting these insects as they contribute greatly to our livelihood. The extinction of the bees makes sad reading as they make 78% of the food that you and I eat every day
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Republished: Fighting Illegal Rosewood Logging and Smuggling in Ghana

  The aim of this story is to understand and learn how climate change and environmental protection is being tackled in other countries but within Africa. Focus on environmental stories across Africa Yipala is nestled among flat grassland sparsely dotted with towering aged trees. Every few miles, mounds of shea nuts are drying in the early morning sun. And in the depths of the community, a rogue timber factory waits to resume operations.  The factory, whose activities are entirely illegal, has been shuttered at least twice. Since its last government shutdown in 2022, none of the factory’s machines have been destroyed nor its vast logs of rosewood burned as a deterrent. Giant cuts of rosewood in the hundreds are stacked high in the backyard. Heavy machinery with labels and instructions written in Mandarin lay waiting to begin slicing and dicing.  It epitomizes the battle underway to protect Ghana’s portion of the threatened Upper Guinean forests – one of the world’s most biodiverse tropi
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The Significance of Bees to The Ecosystem and Food Security

  THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BEES TO THE ECOSYSTEM By Raphael Banda- Media Trainer Most of us normally complain when we are stung by the bees and feel good when the bee is found dead. However, there is need for the change of mindset and focus our energies towards protecting these insects as they contribute greatly to our livelihood. The extinction of the bees makes sad reading as they make 78% of the food that you and I eat every day. But how much efforts do we make to protect bees from further extinction? Journalists whether from Private and public media have a huge role to generate more content around preservation of cardinal insects such as bees. Some of the major dangers to the life of the bee are human activities such as large changes in land use and industrialized agriculture practices what involves the use of some herb and pesticides. The detrimental use of pesticides has contributed to destroying habitant for bees and reducing their available food sources. Rising tempe
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Forests key to fighting global warming and disasters

  Forests are critical to the fighting global warming and curbing disasters in Zambia and elsewhere. By Raphael Banda  ( bandaraphael55@gmail.com or +260979208286). The more than 400 woodlands that the nation is endowed with should be protected more by journalists and other well-meaning citizens. More trees need to be planted, and assisted-natural tree regeneration needs to be stepped up, as a result of the nation's current drought crises and impending food crisis. After the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) produces the contingency plan, the government and like-minded organisations like the United Nations World Food Programme and African Risk Capacity should continue to train journalists to cover pre-, during, and post-disaster events in the nation. The public will be informed by journalists with accurate and trustworthy information, such as information about premiums that a nation must raise to be eligible for an insurance payout in the event of a geological or
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