1. SOLOMON JERE CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

By Sandra Machima

THE current scenario resulting from the impact of climate change calls for quick intervention and action if Zambia is to win the fight, WJ Mudolo Foundation Patron Ambassador Solomon Jere, has said.

Ambassador Jere told The Scoop in an interview that Zambia was faced by a huge crisis of power shortage due to limited rains hence the need for quick action to mitigate the impact.

He said it was for that reason the WJ Mudolo Foundation had embarked on various activities that would encourage the country to practice preservative actions towards natural resources.

He said the Foundation was working with farmers by encouraging them to grow trees to enhance the carbon rating for Zambia.

He said the foundation would support initiatives that uplifted the communities and fostering sustainable environmental practices.

This, he said, was aimed at supplementing the Government’s efforts towards combating climate change, as well as applying the availability of technology to venture into alternative sources of energy.

“We are in a power crisis due to lack of rain and that needs an urgent solution. Zambia is also affected like any other countries but that calls for concerted effort among stakeholders to win the fight,” ambassador Jere said.

He called on the people of Zambia to stop the unnecessary cutting down of trees and burning bushes.

“We need trees so that we may have good rainfalls for all our needs. We should stop cutting trees down and even the practice of the Chitemene system to protect our environment,” he said.

Earlier, WJ Mudolo Foundation launched a 1500 tree planting in the selected schools of Lusaka, to commemorate the World Environment Day that falls on June 5, 2024, under the theme, ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.’

Ambassador Jere said about 2 billion trees would have been planted countrywide by 2030 to preserve the environment.

He said many countries across the world were faced with diverse challenges of climate change, citing floods, hot weather, and droughts, among others.

He said while Governments across Africa emphasized on best practices to avoid provoking mother nature, practical exercises such as tree planting were aimed at restoring nature’s ecology.

Meanwhile, Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, through princess Choolwe, said answers to the trials as a result of climate change the country was facing, lay not in the skies above but on earth through action.

Her Royal Highness has since called all traditional leaders to summon the wisdom of forbearers to protect the land.

Meanwhile Libala Secondary School Head Teacher Oliver Manongo said schools were a fertile ground in which the minds of the future leaders were nurtured.

Mr Manongo said there was a need to sow the seeds of environmental consciousness and equipping students  with the knowledge and passion to combat the escalating climate crisis.