Malawi Climate Activists Cycle 361km to Demand Global Action
Kondwani Mubisa, Oxfam Malawi Project Coordinator, emphasised the importance of community representation at COP29.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Climate justice advocates completed a three-day bicycle journey from Blantyre to Lilongwe Monday, urging wealthy nations at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to increase funding for environmental restoration in developing countries like Malawi, writes Brenard Mwanza.
The 361-kilometre "Malawi Climate Justice Climate Caravan" traversed Balaka, Ntcheu, Dedza, and rural Lilongwe districts, coinciding with the start of the global climate conference where Vice President Michael Usi is leading Malawi's delegation.
"Recently, we just had cyclone Freddy and now we have rising water levels in Lake Malawi," said Mike Liwomba, a representative of the cyclists.
"These rich nations are the heavy polluters and major contributors to climate change. We need substantial resources and funding to recover."
The initiative, organized by the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONEC) and the National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC), was funded by Concern Worldwide and Oxfam in Africa through Oxfam Malawi.
"We need to be angry as decisions are coming out slowly, yet the impacts are increasingly affecting rural communities," said Dominic Nyasulu, NYNCC National Coordinator.
Kondwani Mubisa, Oxfam Malawi Project Coordinator, emphasised the importance of community representation at COP29.
"We need to be talking about things that affect people living in the margins," Mubisa said.
The advocates called for subsidies to promote clean energy alternatives like solar power and gas. COP29, running through November 22, focuses on finance mobilisation as countries seek trillions of dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect communities from worsening climate impacts.