Malawi youths in climate change whistle-stop tours

Concerned Youth Organisation (CYO) last Friday took to the streets of Limbe and surrounding residential areas of Kachere and Bangwe to sensitise communities on the need to adopt renewable and climate-smart energy as a way of fighting climate change effects.

The organisation also asked communities to participate in all efforts that aim at restoring natural forests and safeguard the remaining ones from further destruction.

Speaking to a crowd that gathered at Limbe Market, CYO executive director Harvey Chimaliro said there is need for government and the private sector players to coordinate their efforts in saving the environment from further damage by developing and adopting clean-energy supplies.

Chimaliro said Malawi has many viable options to power such as mini-grid and off-grid solar, wind, hydro and biomass technologies which can fill the energy gap. These alternatives are said to be better than fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases to the environment.

At this point, Chimaliro asked the youth to champion the fight against climate change by encouraging communities across the country to plant more trees.

“The fight against climate change needs your active participation. I, therefore, urge my fellow youth to support this cause if Malawi is to win the battle against climate change,” Chimaliro said.

Blantyre district forestry officer Chisomo Comrade Masanjala observed in a separate interview that active youth participation is critical not only in addressing effects of climate change, but also raising awareness on the need to change people’s habits on energy sources.