The Global Search for Education: Climate Activist Levy Nyirenda Interviews World Resources Institute’s Susan Chomba
This month, audiences can screen Net Zero Speaks with Susan Chomba on the Planet Classroom Network, the latest production in the Net Zero series. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by Protect our Planet and Planet Classroom.
The world loses about 15 billion trees a year. Conserving, restoring and growing new trees helps biodiversity and fights climate change. What solutions are leaders in Africa using to reverse the loss of trees? Dr. Susan Chomba is the Director of Vital Landscapes at the World Resources Institute where she leads WRI’s work on forest protection and sustainable management, restoration, food systems transformation, and governance in Africa. In Net Zero Speaks With Susan Chomba, Climate Activist Levy Nyirenda explores the issues of forest restoration, food system supply, carbon emission reduction, and the role of technology in solving the climate challenges faced in Africa.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Climate Activist Levy Nyirenda from Zambia.
Levy, why did you select Susan Chomba to interview? What inspired you about her?
Susan was named one of Global Landscape Forum’s 16 women restoring the earth in 2021 and she is also a distinguished global ambassador for the Race to Zero under the UN’s Champions for Climate Action. I was specifically inspired by Susan’s experience in forest landscape restoration works and the contributions her work is making towards the transformation of sustainable food systems.
What surprised you most about your interview?
I learned new information about greenhouse gases and the role that Africa plays. Africa accounts for the smallest share of global greenhouse gas emissions (just 3.8%, in contrast to 23% in China, 19% in the US, and 13% in the European Union). However our economy is particularly vulnerable to climate change and we need to tackle the issues caused by it now. My conversation with Susan helped me to better understand the climate challenges we are facing globally.
What are the 3 main takeaways for the Net Zero audience from your interview?
My 3 main takeaways from this interview are firstly that technology is playing an important role in helping to restore the environment in the forestation and restoration works.
Susan stresses that the important question we must ask ourselves and understand before we work on positive change is “WHY”? Why are we working to restore the ecosystem?
Finally, restoring forests calls for proper management and long term maintenance of the newly planted trees. We cannot just plant trees and then forget about them.
Thank you Levy!
C. M. Rubin and Levy Nyirenda
Don’t miss Net Zero Speaks with Susan Chomba, now screening on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by Protect our Planet and Planet Classroom.