Hope Amidst Adversity
As the sun casts its golden hues over the majestic landscapes of Livingstone, Zambia, hope shines amidst the challenges of the climate crisis. A month ago, the INUKA team had a chance to be part of the delegation at the Accelerating Nature-based Solutions Conference, and little did we know that our participation would not only enrich our minds but also stir our souls with profound insights and renewed determination to nature, people, and biodiversity.
Unveiling Zambia's Urgent Call
Amidst unprecedented climatic adversities, Zambia stood as a poignant backdrop, declaring a national emergency in response to a crippling drought. The stakes were high, the urgency palpable. It was against this backdrop that the conference emerged as a beacon of hope, a pivotal moment to mend humanity's fractured relationship with nature and chart a course toward restoration and resilience.
Forging Alliances
Co-convened by the Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA) and the Government of Zambia, the conference took place between 11th and 15th March 2024, serving as a platform to synergise stakeholders, reaffirm commitments, and galvanise efforts to restore degraded landscapes. The conference focused on practical ways to achieve large-scale land restoration, mainly through:
intentional integration of farmer communities,
mitigation of long-term risks associated with NbS projects,
enhanced monitoring, evaluation, and learning from restoration initiatives, and
a more collaborative approach toward restoration to address the pressing challenge of biodiversity and nature loss
With the aim to produce concrete plans to inform the effective implementation and scaling of nature-based solutions, this significantly contributing to the GEA's "EverGreening the Earth" mission through its current campaign "Greenup to Cool Down".
Youth at the Forefront: Amplifying Voices, Igniting Change
As youth ambassadors of nature-based solutions, INUKA team was at the heart of the action, seizing every opportunity to amplify our voices, contribute to the dialogue, interact with experts and stakeholders in the field, showcasing solutions that profoundly resonate with our work, and engaging in various sessions including;
Building a Big Global Tent for Land Restoration: which sorted avenues to create effective synergies that will redefine and fast-track restoration.
A New Economy and Civilization - Integrating the Protection and Restoration of Land, Climate, Biodiversity, and Communities: which mainly focused on how best humanity can reimagine our relation with nature, departing from the traditional extractive and exploitative relations toward those that are sustainable and mutually benefiting while also repairing the broken civilisation bubble we currently exist in.
Bold Action for Training and Capacity Development: which sought to shape the Evergreening Academy by raising awareness and integrating partners towards the same. This session sought to integrate crucial values that the program can embody to effectively address the technical and socio-cultural dimensions of restoration during implementation.
Insights from the Accelerating Nature-based Solutions Conference
As we reflect on our engagement at the recent conference, it becomes abundantly clear that collaboration is the cornerstone of effective restoration efforts. The dichotomy between communities and nature begins to fade as we realise that they are inherently intertwined, each influencing the other's destiny. It's time to break free from working in silos and embrace meaningful partnerships and cooperation. Youth, with their boundless potential, hold the key to accelerating progress towards the UN Decade of ecosystem restoration. Yet, systemic barriers continue to hinder their involvement in nature-climate action. Despite being off track with nature and climate goals, there's still ample opportunity for collaborative efforts to propel us forward. Nature-based solutions stand ready to restore ecosystem integrity and enhance livelihoods, but their potential remains largely untapped. Intergenerational mentorship and collaboration emerge as crucial tools in driving ambition for nature and climate. While we may not reinvent the restoration wheel, we can certainly enhance, redesign, and scale our approaches to meet the evolving needs of nature and society, for ecosystem degradation knows no borders.
Empowering Restoration through Collaboration and Innovation
In a world where environmental challenges know no borders, collaboration and innovation emerge as the pillars of progress. Recently, our journey took us beyond boundaries and barriers, into the heart of a conference where discussions transcended mere words, paving the way for meaningful connections and alliances. Engaging with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, we exchanged ideas and aspirations, laying the groundwork for collective action. As the conference drew to a close, a tangible sense of responsibility lingered in the air. Armed with newfound knowledge and fortified partnerships, we embarked on our respective journeys back home, each committed to translating ambition into tangible outcomes.
The Journey Continues
The road ahead may be arduous, fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but our spirits remain undaunted. For in the crucible of adversity lies the spark of transformation – a beacon of hope that guides us forward, towards a greener tomorrow. Every step we take brings us closer to the realisation of our shared vision – a world where nature reigns supreme, and humanity stands as its humble steward.