Senegalese women marched in Dakar to demand climate justice and accountability from polluting nations ahead of COP29, citing the severe impacts of climate change on local communities. With chants and signs, they called for emissions reductions and respect for the Paris Agreement, highlighting the record floods experienced in Senegal this year.
Senegalese women gathered in Dakar on Saturday to advocate for climate justice, urging polluting nations to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). Approximately 50 women climate activists participated in this annual march, emphasizing the urgency of their cause, particularly due to the recent record floods that have devastated communities across Senegal and the broader Sahel region. Participants protested with chants of “Down with capitalism! Down with polluting countries!” while displaying signs that called for the protection of Senegal’s natural resources and the transition to a decarbonized future. Cheikh Niange Faye, a former tour guide from Thiès, lamented, “It’s been four years that we’ve been marching, and nothing’s changed. They’re spending billions to do their conferences, but they owe us billions in compensation.” He highlighted the impact of climate change on rural communities, which have faced increased flooding this year. In light of these challenges, activists illustrate the staggering discrepancy between global emissions—Africa contributes only 3.8%—and the disproportionate suffering faced by the continent. Khady Camara, a primary organizer of the event, reiterated the necessity for compliance with the Paris Agreement. Meanwhile, environmental activist Khady Faye, hailing from the coastal Saloum Delta, voiced concerns over the newly commenced offshore drilling at the Sangomar oil fields, stating it could further harm vulnerable communities. “Try to leave our delta alone, try to leave the gas at Sangomar underground, to let the community live normally,” she urged.
The march in Dakar is part of a broader global conversation about climate justice, especially as communities in Africa face the brunt of climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions. Senegalese women activists highlight the urgent need for reparative action from wealthier, industrialized nations that are primarily responsible for historical and current greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, notable weather events such as floods have wreaked havoc on agriculture and local livelihoods, further emphasizing the immediate need for climate action and financial accountability from polluting countries. As the world prepares for COP29, the ongoing struggles of African nations serve as a stark reminder of the inequalities facing the global climate crisis.
The march in Dakar represents a significant effort by Senegalese women to hold polluting nations accountable for their role in climate change. Through persistent advocacy and public demonstrations, they aim to bring attention to the disproportionate effects of environmental degradation on their communities. As the global community approaches COP29, the message is clear: the voices of those most affected by climate change must be heard and prioritized in the discourse on environmental policy and reparative justice.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
