Nobel Women's Initiative

In a recent media release by 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate,  Wangari Maathai called on African heads of state to address the climate crises at this week’s African Union Summit Meetings.  Maathai states that climate change disproportionately affects people in Africa; especially women.

“The AU Summit is the last chance for African leaders to come together and focus on climate change before the global gathering in Durban. African leaders must use this opportunity to commit to some concrete actions that will increase the pressure on Western and other countries to accelerate their efforts to provide support to the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change,” states Maathai.

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From June 29-30th, heads of state met for the 19th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea.  It was the final large scale meeting of African countries in advance of the COP 17 UN Climate Conference, COP 17 being the last global UN summit to coordinate a post-Kyoto climate change Accord.  Laureate Wangari Maathai explained: “With the UN climate change summit in Africa this is an opportunity for Africans to show global leadership on an issue that is critical to the future of the planet and their people.”

Maathai says heads of state should work to ensure the long term sustainability of their communities through adressing climate change  at the African Union Summit, and including women at the negotiating table.   ____________________________________________________________________________

LEARN MORE

Last Chance for Africa to Take Action on Climate Change, Business Day, 29 June 2011.

Media Release: Wangari Maathai calls on AU Leaders to Take Action on Climate Change, Nairobi, 28 June 2011.

Media Release: Wangari Maathai calls on AU Leaders to Take Action on Climate Change (French Version), Nairobi, 28 June 2011.

The Greenbelt Movement

Femmes Africa Solidarité

COP 17 17th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties