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 hydrometeorological disaster. This is why training journalists is so important.
In addition, journalists must stress to small-scale farmers the value of irrigation and insurance as opposed to depending solely on rain-fed farming.

Additionally, since Zambia continues to be one of the nations with the highest rates of deforestation worldwide, the government should take immediate action to double efforts towards the development of alternative energy sources in order to reduce demand for forest products like firewood and charcoal. This can be achieved by strengthening the legal framework on forestry management and ensuring strict enforcement and effective implementation.

Government pledged to stop deforestation by 20230 during COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland, in front of nearly 40,000 attendees and 120 international leaders. Given the negative actions occurring in the nation's forest sector,  much effort is needed to expedite the measures put in place.

 

The theme of 2024 Forest Day, "Forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world," could not have been more well-chosen. The forest provides a home to a wide range of biodiversity, and without it, human existence is in jeopardy. Therefore, creative solutions to the damage, overexploitation, and abuse of the forest are urgently needed.

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