Jennifer Uchendu, the founder of Sustyvibes, began the Spaces by briefly explaining Loss and Damage. According to her, Loss and damage is a general term used in Climate negotiations to describe the impact of Climate change that often outweigh what people can adapt to. In other words, vulnerable communities tend to suffer non-economic losses, apart from the economic effects, which affect their psychological well-being. The session was moderated by Grace Ineza (Coordinator of the Loss and Damage Coalition Youth)
Dr. Richard Munang the deputy regional director of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) our first speaker, In giving his perspective on Loss and damage, he started with an African Proverb. “He whose house is burned down knows why ashes cost a fortune.” The core of Loss and damage is the irreversibility of climate change impact and consequences. Climate change consequences go beyond what people can adapt to; climate consequences for which options and coping mechanisms exist. However, it may be difficult for communities that do not have the resources to access these options or utilize them.
The narrative surrounding climate action needs to be revised in light of how Africa is structured in order to shift from projecting liabilities to projecting opportunities for business growth and economic development. In other words, young people are inspired and urged to begin viewing themselves as problem solvers rather than victims.
Thus, including loss and damage in this projection of a narrative of positivity is the role of every person; they should do this in whatever capacity they have. As negotiations continue, vulnerable communities should not be made to wait. Instead, building their resilience with what is at hand should be the next line of action. Here, socioeconomic dimensions need to come in, and the narrative should project socio-economic opportunities. This is what interested parties like activists and stakeholders should focus on – Mitigation actions that can help to reduce stress for people. An example is a mother using a solar dryer to dry her vegetables. Thus, Mitigation, Powering, and Adaptation should be the critical point words.
Our second speaker Nnimmo Bassey is an Environmental Justice advocate and founder of the Mother Earth Foundation. Young people, in his opinion, do not have enough freedom to express themselves, they are taught to be seen but not heard. However, young people have a right to speak out about the effects on their communities and the world around them. He opines that young people need to take action and find informal spaces to express themselves, discuss problems, provide solutions and engage with adults and the system.
Sylvia Dorbor, a climate change negotiator in Liberia, and our third speaker asserted that Loss and damage are critical areas that must be addressed because climate change cannot be separated from development. This is why national players like environmental agencies need an investment Strategy. Youths can also help to raise awareness and do projects that help to fundraise projects to avert or mitigate loss and damage. Apart from negotiations, technical assistance, funding, and capacity are very much needed.
In conclusion, Ms. Dorbor reiterated that non-economic factors are just as important as economic ones when it comes to loss and damage. For instance, the value of a person life, who has suffered from climate issues and climate-induced heat waves cannot be underestimated.
In Dr. Munang’s opinion, working together as a collective is essential as it ensures small actions can contribute to the bigger picture. Also, a negative narrative drains energy. Therefore, as we complain, we should also be able to propose solutions and opportunities. Opportunities in climate change are the best opportunities that can ever be tapped which is why the challenge of loss and damage in Africa is an opportunity for investment and job creation.