Africa’s Stake in the Climate Change Talks

Kenya will be hosting the 2nd meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 2), in conjunction with the 12th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention (COP 12), in Nairobi from 6th - 17th November 2006. The global issues and debates around climate change, which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere, have bordered on the increased emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) that are argued to have accelerated desertification, raised global surface temperatures, changed rainfall patterns, caused rising sea levels etc.<br><br> Whereas Africa’s contribution to climate change has been minimal due to its low levels of industrial development and economic growth, it has nevertheless also experienced the greatest impacts, such as the overwhelming “El Nino” rainfall phenomenon, shifting rainfall patterns, increased incidences of tropical diseases, and so on. This has had considerable impacts on its food security and the livelihood of its people.<br><br> In this regard, we wish to invite you to a panel discussion on “Africa’s stake in the Climate Change Talks” to be held on 14th November 2006 at the Grand Regency Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom. The session brings together high level panelists including the <b>Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, Prof. Ogunlade Davidson</b> of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change amongst others. The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s co-president, <b>Barbara Unmüßig</b> will also be in attendance.<br><br> Due to the fact that the industrial sector relies on energy production, mainly from non-renewable sources, it implicitly is therefore one of the major contributors to GHG emissions, and the main focus of our discussion.We expect that the day’s forum will be enriching for all participants. We strongly urge you to attend, bring a friend, and contribute to the debate.