Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa” for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, is home to some of the most diverse forests in the world. This year we are uniting as Laudato Youth to plant One Million indigenous and Fruit trees as a contribution to a sustainable path. It is important to note that these forests play a crucial role in supporting local communities, providing habitat for wildlife, regulating the climate, and ensuring our country’s ecological balance. However, Uganda’s forests are facing significant threats from deforestation, illegal logging, charcoal burning, and unsustainable land use practices. To preserve these vital ecosystems for future generations, we must join with the Laudato Youth Initiative to focus on forest sustainability efforts and climate change action response.
In my view as a Laudato Youth leader, one of the key challenges facing Uganda’s forests is deforestation, driven by factors such as agriculture expansion, infrastructure development, and charcoal production. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Uganda lost an estimated 90,000 hectares of forest annually between 2010 and 2020. This rapid deforestation not only leads to loss of biodiversity but also contributes to climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions.
To address these challenges and promote forest sustainability in Uganda, various initiatives like the Laudato Youth Initiative and now its “LYI One Million Trees Planting Drive” have to be supported and implemented with other similar activities. Well, I know several strategies have been implemented. The government has established enhanced the protection of areas like, national parks, and forest reserves to conserve critical forest ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Community-based conservation projects, such as community forestry programs and eco-tourism initiatives at local levels need to be enhanced and empower local communities to actively participate in forest management and benefit from sustainable forest resources.
Furthermore, reforestation and afforestation programs need more emphasis to restore degraded lands and increase forest cover in the country. Tree-planting campaigns, like the “LYI One Million Trees Planting Drive” agroforestry projects, and sustainable land management practices help to enhance ecosystem resilience, improve soil fertility, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Organizations and NGOs are also working on raising awareness, capacity building, and promoting sustainable livelihoods that are dependent on healthy forests we need to be part of these efforts as we say in Laudato Youth. United for Climate Action. We need to Unite more people for Climate Action, and I talk with an emphasis on the youth who need to be taught the importance and be encouraged to participate.
Collaboration among various stakeholders is much needed in our Country today, religious leaders, government agencies, local communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, are essential for achieving long-term forest sustainability in Uganda basing on the existing threat. By working together and sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, we can ensure the conservation and sustainable management of Uganda’s forests for the benefit of present and future generations. As a Laudato Youth Leader I see the good future of the young people is in their ability to take action.
As we prepare to celebrate World Forest Day 2024 it is important to note that forest sustainability is crucial for the environmental, economic, and social well-being of Uganda. We must continue to prioritize conservation efforts, promote sustainable forest management practices, and engage the Youth in Institutions and local communities in forest protection initiatives. By valuing and preserving our forests, we can secure a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for Uganda and its people. We have recently read about what is in Southern Sudan we shouldn’t sit to wait and see what is coming here. In Kampala nowadays you will realize all is not well signs are clear the heat is increasing.
The reality is experts have already warned of hotter days ahead. The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Hon Among urged Ugandans to be aware of the drastic climate change and take swift climate action amid the South Sudan crisis. It was reported by Nile Post that “The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among has emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address the challenges posed by global warming. She called upon leaders to unite in the fight against climate change and highlighted the crucial role of tree planting in mitigating its effects”. This ties to our Laudato Youth plea of “Uniting for Climate Action” and tree planting with emphasis on the “LYI One Million Trees Planting Drive” by Laudato Clubs and well-wishers.
It was also reported that “In light of our South Sudanese neighbors’ decision to close schools, we must recognize this as a wake-up call for leaders to join hands and tackle global warming,”
In response, she announced that Parliament has taken the initiative to lead a tree-planting campaign, inviting citizens to participate in this vital endeavor actively. Just to ask yourself a question upon reading this article what are you going to do in response to this appeal?
With the ongoing heatwave sweeping across the country, the government of South Sudan has implemented a precautionary measure to close all schools starting Monday, March 18, 2024. We pray for those students who have to abandon their studies because of unbearable climate conditions. However, for us here in Uganda, it’s also becoming relatively hotter than before; so, with the heat rendering us restless in nights nowadays and as experts, warm threat the consequences of the emission of greenhouse gases could be affecting us as well. The Meteorological Agency is warning us to prepare for hotter days and nights. This preparation will require intelligent adaptation strategies and participation in climate change resilient practices to cope with the damage caused by our actions.
They also warn us to be prepared to handle the common effects of heatwaves on humans including dehydration, which can lead to unconsciousness or death, chickenpox, skin rashes, and psychological stress. Keep interacting with your young people to be sure they are not affected by any of the above.
However, to cope with the current climatic conditions, experts have advised that we:
- Drink more water to stay hydrated.
- Keep a water bottle with you to remind you to drink water.
- Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks during this period.
- Reduce your intake of protein-rich foods (e.g. red meat) as they increase metabolic heat.
- Eat fresh fruit and vegetables, which provide extra water.
- Monitor blood pressure to ensure it is within the normal range.
- Stay indoors (in the house or office) between midday and 3 p.m. every day as far as possible.
- Take cold water baths before going to bed at night.
Lastly to celebrate the International Day of Forests on 21 March and this year’s theme of Forests and Innovation. You may have not realized but all the themes for this year’s environmental Impact activities have been geared toward advancing innovation in combating climate change.
We need to ward toward inspiring a positive spirit of hope that this issue may not get out of hand and could be controlled if we all united for climate Action. It is not good to only focus on the negative side of the story but also give hope especially for young people because negative talk all the time worries us and can cause some level of stress since some whom I have talked to say whenever they hear about climate change, they feel so worried about their future. It’s time to motivate them and give them hope for a bright future without disregarding the need to take Action. I want to end here by wishing you a happy World Forest Day from the Laudato Youth initiative but also Challenging you to consider planting trees, Conserving wetlands, and other forms of Climate Care.
Sarah
Laudato Youth President
Sarah for Laudato Clubs