Participate to resolve issues of climate change – Africa Campaign coordinator urges

One of Ghana’s Tourism Ambassadors and Africa Campaign coordinator, Matthew Mensah has urged world leaders and young people around the world to participate in conversations and activities to resolve the climate crisis.

According to the global activist and Africa campaigner, it is about time the world act in time to prevent more climate hazards to preserve human lives, thus the reason for the #ActIn Time campaign, which Ghana is the first country in Africa to start and the next will be Nigeria.

In an interview with starrfm.com.gh at the launch of the climate clock, Mr Mensah said, most human activities are gradually depleting the ozone layer thus the climate change and must be addressed immediately.

He said, “#ActIn Time campaign, will use the CLIMATE CLOCK to push leaders to confront the climate crisis at the massive scale which is required to avert the worst climate impacts.”
He added that, the campaign comes in the wake of a new UN IPC C Report describing the climate crisis as a “code red for humanity” and there is a participatory process inviting stakeholders to submit climate proposals that will become part of a resolution sent to Ghana in Parliament.

“The CLIMATE CLOCK shows 2 numbers, a Deadline in red and a Lifeline in blue/green. The Deadline counts down the critical time window we have left in our carbon budget, while the Lifeline counts up and tracking our progress on key solution pathways, such as renewable energy. Together, they tell us what we need to do by when. The Clock frames our critical mission — a rapid and just transition to a fossil fuel-free, safe climate future.

He explained that “The CLIMATE CLOCK shows two sets of data. The deadline number shows when our global Carbon Budget runs out, i.e. the time left before we emit so much carbon into the atmosphere that we set the world on a course to exceed 1.5 C warming, which scientists say is a critical tipping point after which the effects of Climate Change are irreversible. In addition to this Deadline, the clock shows a “Lifeline” that displays the percentage of global energy currently supplied from renewable sources — 12.4 per cent and going up, but it needs to be going up much faster to meet our deadline.”

Speaking at the event launch held in Accra Okyeame Kwame who is chosen as Climate Clock’s official National Ambassador pledged to dedicate his social media handles and his craft to promote and create awareness on issues of climate change. He also urged social medial users to participate and join in conversations to save the environment.

The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, named the “Chief Patron” of the Climate Clock in Ghana, pledged to bring the message of urgent climate action to other mayors across Africa as he represents African Mayors as Vice-Chair on the Steering Committee of C40 Cities, an international Climate Leadership Group. He also serves on the Board of the Global Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy representing African Mayors.

The head of the Tourism Authority of Ghana, Akwasi Agyeman, at the event was named as “Patron” of the Climate Clock in Ghana and recognized for his work on eco-tourism. He will be working with the campaign to install a monumental sized Climate Clock in Ghana, similar to the one in New York City, helping to establish Ghana as a climate leader and at the same time establish a new major tourist site.