“We Are On The Frontlines, Not The Front Pages” – Why African Voices Need To Be Heard In The Climate Debate 

The entire continent of Africa is responsible for 3% of the world’s carbon emissions. It has contributed the least to the climate crisis of any continent, other than Antarctica. Yet, we Africans are already suffering among the worst impacts of global heating so far. Droughts, floods, cyclones, hunger, starvation and death are rocking communities across the continent. But you are unlikely to hear about this in the ‘global media’, who (rightfully) pay much attention to forest fires in California or flooding in Germany, and yet ignore the reporting of famine in Namibia or deforestation in the Congo.  

Traditionally, the climate movement has been portrayed as mostly white, northern and wealthy. But there are climate activists from all races, backgrounds and continents. This is part of the reason I came to COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. I wanted to be a voice for the people suffering who are being ignored. A voice demanding accountability – demanding reductions in emissions, demanding compensation be paid by polluting countries to the climate vulnerable.  

Voices like mine have been silenced. But if we want real solutions to the climate crisis, we need a more inclusive, representative climate movement to present this vision of justice.  

Vanessa Nakate is a Ugandan climate activist and author of A Bigger Picture: My Fight To Bring A New African Voice To The Climate Crisis