Civil society raise awareness on climate change in Upper Nile
May 6, 2024 (MALUTH) – The Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources (CSNR) conducted a training on climate change effects and its links to the environment, peace and security in Maluth County of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state.
Representatives from the county authorities, agriculture, forestry and fisheries departments, veterinary units, trade union, women and youth took part in the training workshop that was supported by the Norwegian Peoples’ Aid (NPA).
The training covered the science of climate change and how is has changed in South Sudan, causes as well as evidences of climate change at the global level.
It also tackled aspects of environment, peace, security and mitigation measures.
The chairperson of CSCNR, Charles Judo said that the training was conducted to increase stakeholder’s awareness on the climate change impact and its link to environment, peace and security in South Sudan, particularly in Maluth County.
He said stakeholders need to understand the causes and the common pathways for climate- related environmental and security risks, worsening livelihood conditions, mobility and migration, unintended negative consequences of climate policies, elite exploitation and resource mismanagement, among others.
The Director of Fisheries resources in Maluth County, David Deng Chan said all natural resources should be conserved as well as utilized in a sustainable manner.
For his part, the Director of agriculture, Guod Mayik said climate change effects have been witnessed and manifested in Maluth County due to human activities, citing desertification, soil degradation and oil pollution which lead to crop failure.
He further acknowledged understanding the link between climate, environment, peace and security as well as climate security risk pathways in South Sudan and that the risks emerge through complex interactions between climate change and different social, economic, environmental, demographic and political factors.
Participants in the workshop expressed their satisfaction with the training and that they have gained new knowledge of climate change science and its impacts.
South Sudan is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including both long-term changes such as the gradual increase in temperatures as well as short term extreme climate events like increased flooding. These factors, environmentalists argue, have negatively impacted on food security and security.
Also, climate-related livestock losses, combined with existing rivalries, increase the risk of cattle raiding, leading to retaliation, communal conflict, displacement, deepening intercommunal rivalry and formation of armed groups or movements.
(ST)