By: Fistum Getachew 

Ethiopia has been elected to host the COP 32 in 2027 at the COP 30 held in Belem, Brazil. This would be the first time that a COP is held in Africa for many years. Ethiopia was elected to host the COP3 due to various reasons. One is definitely because Ethiopia is one of the most active countries that have been implementing the eco-friendly economic policy that has been drafted and agreed upon in previous Conference of Parties. Ethiopia’s efforts as a country that limits gas emissions and contributes its part to halt the warming of the atmosphere which scientists have determined as the main cause of climate aberration have been recognized and commended. It has been observed that climate aberrations have caused tremendous havoc in many parts of the world particularly in the developing world. 

Ethiopia’s selection to host COP32 is also an acknowledgment and recognition of its experience in holding successfully international conferences. It has the necessary infrastructure and experience in hosting huge summits with thousands of delegates taking part and every time there was a conference in Ethiopia the guests who attended the event would be heard appreciating the hospitality and efficiency of the organizers. This has given Ethiopia a solid reputation in this regard. In fact only this year Ethiopia has held more than 150 international conferences and meetings of various types successfully. 

In the meantime, scientists have warned that if the current warming up of the atmosphere is continuing at the present pace, we are heading to a disaster risking the very survival of the planet as we know it today! Since the first conference on climate change and the environment and the dangers that could follow in Rio de Janiero in 1992, there have been more than twenty such conferences aimed at sensitizing people and governments that our planet is in grave danger due to the reckless use of the planet’s resources. Gas emissions that come out of the gigantic factories have increased. The number of fuel driven vehicles has congested cities in the entire world. All this goes directly to the atmosphere. Trees have been felled indiscriminately for decades without any attempts to replace them and virgin forests have been diminished to make space for more habitations or grazing land. Soil erosion has also been contributing to the phenomenon of climate change. 

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution the climate has been warming up due to the persistent, relentless and massive emission of gas into the atmosphere. The lack of protection of the ecosystem, the continuous deforestation and grave environmental degradation because of pollution of the earth created by fossil fuel usage, the relentless expansion in the use of plastic bags and bottles thrown to the rivers and lakes have all added up to the phenomenon of climate change. 

Ethiopia used to have huge forest coverage in earlier years but in 2019, it was reportedly 17.2 % before the current reforestation campaign launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) called the Green Legacy Initiative has managed to raise it to 23.6 %. In fact for the last six years, Ethiopia has been promoting the reforestation campaign through the planting of nearly 50 billion tree seedlings. This initiative has had such a success that it has been internationally acknowledged and received several awards. Ethiopia then began to attract the attention of environmentalists and climate activists and be cited as a positive example to be emulated. 

Ethiopia’s exploit has inspired other countries and it has been recorded as one of the lead countries in the fight against climate change. What is more, Ethiopia has distinguished itself as a country that has prohibited the import of fuel dependent vehicles replacing them with EVs. This has been considered as a breakthrough particularly for a developing country like Ethiopia. Besides, Ethiopia has been commended as one of the lead countries in promoting the application of the new climate resilient standards set by the world body that is active in fighting the causes of climate change.  

In the major international meetings and conferences that discuss climate change, Ethiopia has presented its case along other hugely affected countries protesting against the reckless economic policies of the rich and industrial countries which have been abusing the planet’s resources. The percentage of gas emission released to the atmosphere by industrialized countries is exorbitantly high. The poor countries’ contribution in this regard is minimal or negligible. However, the extent of damage that they are made to suffer is much higher than what happens in the industrialized countries. This is because these poorer countries, particularly in the global south, lack the necessary financial resources to cope with the damages they incur. 

In the meantime, the number of droughts has increased by leaps and bounds and millions have been affected by these sad events. Excessive rainfalls have resulted in floodings and mudslide. Drought that now occurs more and more frequently has caused famine and tremendous loss of lives. The poor countries are always short of funds to cope with these disasters. With more frequent wildfires, thousands and thousands of acres of forests have been completely destroyed and we have witnessed this recurrent event happening even among countries with technological sophistication that can enable them to predict and prevent or at least alleviate the damages climate change inflicts. This is a result of the atmosphere warming up too much.  

Even if in the west there are still some ‘climate skeptics’ who argue that climate change is fake and unfounded, there is a general consensus among the community of scientists and researchers that climate change is unfortunately a sad, tangible and undeniable reality and is bound to increase and deteriorate causing more destruction and havoc. Scientists are still warning that the situation is approaching a point of no return if something serious and consistent is not done and fast! That is why the world should not let any stone unturned to meet the targets set by the climate conventions and the recommendations of the world environmental protection agencies.  

At these COPs that are held every year in different localities leaders, policy makers as well as scientists meet and discuss the new developments and progresses made during the year. Research papers and studies carried out in various countries as well as new experiences are presented at the conference participants. Besides, heads of states and government as well as environmentalists express their views and suggest new moves to overcome the challenges. And countries such as Ethiopia get the opportunity to share their particular experiences with regard to climate change even if they avail limited resources. 

Countries such as Ethiopia have been pushing for the increase in the financial contribution of the advanced and rich countries because they are responsible for most of the damages that climate change causes to the poor countries. In fact, gross and highly industrialized countries such as USA, China and European countries have admitted their responsibilities and subscribed to the proposal accepted by the COP not only to limit gas emissions but also help the poor countries to withstand these dreadful changes and alleviate the damages incurred. Environmentalists warn that not always these promises have been fulfilled remaining often empty words. These funds to be raised are meant to help the climate adaptation of the less developed countries so that they develop new means of using clean energy distancing themselves from fossil fuel. They could be helped to use geothermal energy, solar, and wind energy but as these alternatives can be very costly, the funds raised would cover the expenses needed. Besides, the funds also help the affected countries recover from the eventual damages inflicted on them. Storms, droughts, floods, wildfires and other effects could be cited as those which have incurred huge damages to the less developed countries. 

In this regard Ethiopia has been doing its part and it is also in recognition of these efforts that the body that chooses the organizers of these COPs has awarded Ethiopia to host this significant international conference on climate change. In this respect all African countries have endorsed the candidature of Ethiopia to organize COP32. 

By hosting this COP 32 Ethiopia will have the opportunity to showcase the progress it has registered in engaging in climate change combat. Participants will have a firsthand view of what Ethiopia has been engaged in this sphere. They will see how much green area the country is developing, how the reforestation of the country is proceeding with visible and tangible progress. Ethiopia’s image in the world stage will be enhanced and the exemplary activities it has been carrying out will be acknowledged and given due credit. This is a huge plus for Ethiopia, the current Ethiopian leadership, and particularly for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) who has championed with the campaign to re-green Ethiopia. The Green Legacy Initiative is a trademark of the premier who personally takes part in all the activities inspiring others to follow suit. This initiative has had very wide acceptance in the country and this by itself has been emulated by other African countries who have shared the experience of Ethiopia and tried to apply it. 

Schools in Ethiopia have included in their academic curricula the subject of environmental protection and the negative consequences of gas emissions and pollution to the atmosphere. Today one can say that every Ethiopian is aware of all the issues that relate to climate change and the environment. In this respect the media has played significant roles. Many documentaries and programs have been covered by the mass media elaborating on what climate change means and how to combat it even at grassroots levels. Hence, they have begun applying their knowledge at the household and neighbourhood levels. They have been regularly engaged in the tree planting events for the past six years during which more than 48 billion seedlings have been planted. It has now become a yearly routine activity when the main rainy season dawns. People have begun to have another look as to how they must conduct their lives. They now know that keeping the environment clean and green is crucial for livelihoods.  

Clearly, the world cannot afford to abuse the environment any longer because the damage already inflicted is more than enough to put lives in grave danger. What we are now doing must be taken as one of the measures to be adopted before further damages are to be incurred. In fact, during the past few years similar campaigns have been multiplying to create enough momentum to foil the eventual overheating of the atmosphere beyond the 1.5 degree put as a last limit by scientists. It has already been established that the existence of the planet itself could be in danger. The primary objective of the COPs is to take all the necessary measures to overturn this current dangerous trend and adopt a new path. There should be a paradigm shift in the way we interact with the atmosphere, scientists underline. 

Ethiopia and Africa in general will have their voices heard taking full advantage of the holding of COP 32 on African soil. Ethiopia will be the focus of attention in the international sphere and its influence will have a certain hike in the world at large. Participants of the COP 32 who come to Ethiopia will have the opportunity to know better the country and its people and dismiss the negative campaigns carried out against Ethiopia. This exposure could resuscitate our tourism industry to new heights. Hence the holding of COP 32 in Ethiopia should be taken as a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed. The maximum should be extracted from this important event.