Young climate change champion leads the way

27 Oct, 2024 - 00:10 0 Views
Young climate change champion leads the way Nonkanyiso Gumede

Taboka Tshuma, Sunday Life Reporter

WHILE many young people are focused on enjoying their youth, Nonkanyiso Gumede, a 33-year-old trailblazer has chosen to champion climate action and sustainability, inspiring fellow young women to join the fight against climate change as they are the ones most affected by its effects.

Born and bred in Bulawayo, Gumede manages Greenhut and has witnessed first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change in her community, including droughts, floods and unpredictable weather patterns that threaten food security, health and livelihoods.

Her journey into climate action began at the Forestry Commission in Sikumi (near Hwange) in 2015. There, she observed the harsh realities of climate change as it affected both the environment and local communities.

“People were struggling to access water and agricultural yields were low, making it difficult for families to sustain themselves,” she explained.

It was then that she realised the urgency of addressing the climate crisis.

She expressed her gratitude for having joined Greenhut at its inception, allowing her the platform to advocate for climate action.

Climate change

As the programmes manager, she has spearheaded numerous climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in the region and has participated in local, regional and international initiatives to combat the climate crisis.

She noted that women, particularly in Africa, disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change, as they are primarily responsible for food production, water collection and household management.

Recognising their invaluable knowledge and skills in climate resilience, she stressed the importance of engaging women in the fight against climate change.

“Women should be key contributors in this struggle because, as primary caregivers, they interact with natural resources regularly and understand the challenges first-hand. They are perfectly positioned to help co-create solutions,” Gumede said.

“Women are often the ones who head out to fetch water and firewood and they provide food for their families. In Zimbabwe, they form the backbone of the agricultural workforce and are disproportionately affected by climate change.

For instance, during the current water shortages in Bulawayo, it’s often the women who search for water. We need to create enabling structures that empower women to adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods, while also recognising them as essential players in this fight.”

Greenhut is an environmental non-profit organisation dedicated to combating climate change through advocacy at schools, community levels and on social media.

The organisation works closely with youth to develop green skills, enhancing their ability to innovate around climate adaptation and mitigation.

Gumede highlighted that Greenhut runs a volunteer program and has established youth volunteer chapters across Zimbabwe, engaging them in various environmental initiatives.

“Young people are the custodians of the planet, so we prioritise them in our programming,” she said.

Despite facing challenges as a young woman in the field of environmental advocacy, Gumede credits mentorship and resilience as key factors that have helped her overcome obstacles.

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