Stefanus Nashama
The Minister of Environment, Tourism and Forestry, Pohamba Shifeta said that Namibia is amongst the countries recognized and projected to be vulnerable to climate change.
According to Shifeta, the high vulnerability of Namibia is a result of its already arid weather conditions.
He said that Namibia is already experiencing extreme drought, flash floods, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme temperatures because of climate change.
The minister explained that these impacts increase the country communities’ exposure and the pressing social-economic challenges and further limit their ability to adapt.
The country’s vulnerability to climate change is justified by the previous rainfall onset seasons of harsh weather, which led to flash floods resulting in the loss of properties, human lives, and economic losses.
Shifeta made these remarks on Tuesday, in Windhoek, at the inauguration of the National Youth Climate Change Summit and Namibia Local Conference of Youth 2023.
“Greenhouse gas emissions through the burning of fossil fuels for industrial development are one of the major causes of global warming leading to climate change,” he said.
Shifeta stated that Namibia, with the Nationally Determined Contribution has realized the urgency to encourage national youth engagement in its implementation.
The Nationally Determined Contribution serves as a national framework to address pressing developmental challenges in various social and economic sectors of the country.
Additionally, the minister said the Nationally Determined Contribution further maps Namibia’s priorities to mitigate and adapt to the emerging challenges of climate change catastrophes.
Shifeta indicated that the government has placed the inclusion and participation of youth in the national climate change agenda.
“The involvement of youth is very paramount in the fight against climate change,” he said.
Shifeta said he understands that youth education represents an effective tool to combat the destructive potential of climate change and cultivate an international understanding among members of the next generation since it is a long-term process that will affect an infinite number of future generations.
“Youth voices are a critical part of the inclusivity needed to ensure national policies such as the NDC, are well directed, implemented and monitored for appropriate and transformational climate actions,” he said.
Shifeta said the ministry is ready to support the youth efforts as stakeholders towards the Nationally Determined Contribution implementation since the country has realized the need of integrating youth efforts in national development, policy implementation and actions.
“The inaugural National Youth Climate Change Summit is and will be amongst those initiatives to consolidate the voices of youth concerning the framework established to govern environmental, social, and ecosystem management and ensure community resilience towards climate change,” he stated.
Shifeta urged the youth to actively provide inputs on climate change to combat its impacts in the country.
