Time for Less Talk, More Action on Climate Change, Says Avid Environmentalist Collins Lugongo

Time for Less Talk, More Action on Climate Change, Says Avid Environmentalist Collins Lugongo. 

By MAXIMILLA WAFULA 

The COUNTY DIARY NEWS 

As the world continues to grapple with the devastating impacts of climate change, all eyes will be on Baku, Azerbaijan, when it hosts the 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from December 11th-22nd, 2024. The summit comes at a critical juncture, when the planet’s ecosystems and communities are reeling from extreme weather patterns, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

In the lead-up to the conference, Collins Lugongo, a passionate environmentalist and youth leader from Kenya, is calling for less rhetoric and more concrete actions. Lugongo, who has long been an advocate for sustainable practices and climate justice, believes that COP29 offers a vital opportunity for global leaders to transition from words to real-world solutions in the fight against climate change.

“The world has had enough talking,” says Lugongo. “We need action. The science is clear, the impact is undeniable, and the time to act is now.”

Lugongo’s comments come on the heels of the recent UN Biodiversity Summit (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, which took place from October 21st to November 1st, 2024. The summit, hailed as the largest of its kind in history, brought together leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates to discuss urgent measures to protect the world’s rapidly declining biodiversity.

“The Cali summit was a major push to protect nature, and it came at the right time,” notes Lugongo. “This meeting has given us the platform to design an inclusive approach to biodiversity conservation, and now it’s time to move beyond words and into action. The outcome of this summit should be the first step in urgently implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework.”

At COP16, countries agreed on a comprehensive plan to halt biodiversity loss and take decisive action to safeguard ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. For Lugongo, this agreement represents an opportunity that must not be wasted. “We must now embark on executing the outcomes of the meeting,” he stresses. “It is not enough to merely pledge commitment. The clock is ticking, and we cannot afford to leave the future of our planet to more empty promises.”

The Kenyan environmentalist has also called on his home government to take a leadership role in climate finance, particularly in the wake of the country’s challenges with climate-induced disasters. Kenya, like many nations in sub-Saharan Africa, has been hard-hit by unpredictable weather patterns, including severe droughts and floods, which have left communities vulnerable and struggling to cope.

The Kenyan government recently secured a Ksh 78 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with Ksh 15.2 billion earmarked for the Resilience and Sustainable Fund, which is intended to finance climate adaptation projects and build resilience among disaster-stricken communities. According to Lugongo, this funding provides an essential opportunity for the Kenyan government to invest in both immediate relief and long-term environmental solutions.

“The IMF funding is a significant lifeline for Kenya,” says Lugongo. “But it must be spent wisely. The government needs to ensure that these funds are allocated effectively, with a focus on supporting vulnerable communities and strengthening the nation’s climate resilience.” He emphasizes the importance of a structured approach, with transparent accountability mechanisms to ensure that funds are used for their intended purpose.

Lugongo’s call for accountability is rooted in his concern that without proper oversight, climate finance can be mismanaged or diverted, leaving communities in dire need without the resources they desperately require. He urges the government to work with local communities and experts to design projects that are both sustainable and inclusive, ensuring that the benefits of climate action reach those who are most vulnerable.

The next few months leading up to COP29 will be crucial, and Lugongo’s message resonates globally. As the world watches, the key question is whether world leaders will finally step up to the plate and take the bold, transformative actions necessary to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all.

“The world’s leaders have a moral and ethical responsibility,” Lugongo concludes. “We are at a crossroads. The time for talking is over. We need urgent, collective action—starting now.”

As COP29 approaches, it remains to be seen whether the world will heed the call for less talk and more action. But as Collins Lugongo and other climate advocates make clear, the stakes couldn’t be higher.