Climate Justice must be at the heart of Servas International activities
By: Clara Paillard, Servas Britain and Ireland
Since 2018, our Servas community has recognised the importance of caring for the planet. The 2018 AGM adopted a motion recognising that “Climate change is very much a peace and social justice issue because its impacts can lead to the displacement of people, which often hurts the impoverished more than the wealthy.”
As several of us participated to Servas events in East Africa this August, the issue of the Climate Crisis was very much present at the Servas Kenya Peace conference in Mombasa and the Servas Uganda Peace school in the village of Buyoga.
Just before the conference started, we heard the sad news that a massive landslide in a Kampala rubbish dump had killed many, buried homes and cased devastation. This was caused by torrential rains and a poor management of the site. Talking to many Ugandan and Tanzanian people during our trips, it was clear that extreme weather events were becoming more frequent and that the usual patterns of rainy and dry seasons were blurring.
The Mombasa Peace conference included sessions related to environmental issues:
- Carla Kristensen, SI Vice President introduced the formidable Kenyan woman activist and Nobel Price winner Wangari Maathai who inspired millions with her tree planting activities and brave campaigns to defend political prisoners and forests. The film Taking Root: the vision of Wangari Maathai which can be watch online here.
- Clara Paillard, from Servas Britain & Ireland, held a session on the issue of Climate Justice for East Africa highlighted the terrifying impact of Climate change on the region and giving an insight about the infamous East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, a carbon bomb that has already displaced 100,000 people in the region and threatens Lake Victoria and many National Parks. You can check the presentation here.
At the Servas Uganda Peace school, many activities related to environmental issues with art workshops using natural dye, organic gardening activities and workshops about the natural environment and potential threats to it. The last day saw a mini march by the children demanding a Green Future.
At both events, Servas members planted trees. In Mombasa, we went to the Bamburi forest, a former limestone quarry that destroyed existing trees and polluted the area. Bamburi Cement company was forced to decontaminate the site and replant trees for rehabilitation, now charging tourists to plant trees and participate to the regreening efforts.
In Buyoga village, the tree planting scheme appeared more genuine and sustainable as it is led by the Bukomansimbi Organic Tree Farmers Association. They have developed a system of permaculture that allow multi-crops plantations to thrive providing a mix of food harvest and commercial crops. Some of us were able to visit the farm and witness how Mutuba trees, Matoke trees and jackfruit trees grow together alongside kasava & yams plants, passion fruits, sugar canes, and many other crops. Servas members were then able to sponsor a visit of the farm for 4 East African Servas members to learn about sustainable agriculture projects.
Servas International is committed to growing its activities around environmental issues so watch this space!
