Climate Justice Torch lights up Lusaka streets

By
Melony Chisanga
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83
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Climate Justice Torch tour Lusaka
A MASSIVE procession of singing and chanting climate justice campaigners yesterday disrupted the usual free flow of traffic on one of Zambia’s longest and busiest roads, the Great East Road as they marched with the Climate Justice Torch.
With beaming smiles, Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala and WWF country director Nachilala Nkombo braved the sweltering midmorning high temperatures to lead the placard-carrying marchers in a procession from Manda Hill, going all the way to the over-priced Arcades Bridge and walking back to the grounds of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre as energetic police officers led the way.
The purpose of the march was to hand the Climate Justice Torch to government after its arrival in Lusaka from Kenya.
Late last month, the Pan Africa Climate Alliance (PACJA) launched a Climate Justice Torch initiative to amplify untold climate impact stories of Africa ahead of the 27th Conference of Parties (COP 27) in Egypt.
The Torch Campaign is meant to raise the demands of Africa as a continent with special needs and circumstances, ensuring the prioritisation of adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance in the negotiations at the COP27.
The torch journey started in Gabon to Morocco, Kenya, and now in Zambia and as it arrived in Lusaka, it was loudly welcomed by the Voices for Just Climate Action Alliance.
Carrying the torch high, sweating and panting marchers attracted attention, disrupted traffic and chanted demands of climate justice as motorists craned their necks from the traffic jam to catch a glimpse.
In handing over the torch to government, WWF country director Nachilala Nkombo said Cop 27 should be a turning point for African countries against climate change.
Nkombo urged the Zambian government and particularly African Group of Negotiators (AGN) chairperson and Ministry of Green Economy and Environment – climate change director Ephraim Shitima who was at hand to receive the torch that stakeholders going to the COP27 must have clear solutions.
She said climate change was not theoretical for Africa but a real issue that should be addressed.
“Let’s go to COP 27 with clear articulate of the solution on climate change,” Nkombo said.
“Climate change is affecting us Africans in a significant way. It is a common challenge; it is common crisis. However, it is creating an opportunity for solidarity. For us to come with one thing that we must do together led by our young people.”
After receiving the torch, Shitima said thee African team was ready to advance raised ideas against climate change at COP 27.
“We need your support your support. The support that you have demonstrated here by bring the torch not only in Zambia but many countries within the continent sends very strong message that we are serious with this movement and we are ready with the people behind us,” said Shitima.
And Lusaka mayor Chilando Chitangala suggested that climate justice must be introduced in schools.
The mayor thanked the Africa Climate group for taking a long walk against climate change from Gabon.
Story by Melony Chisanga and Pictures by Salim Dawood
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