Category: Africa

About Sumaya Zakieldeen, Sudanese Delegate

At COP15, Dr. Sumaya ZakiEldeen was a member of the Sudanese delegation and a professor at Khartoum University. From Copenhagen, she wrote this message, which reflects both her biographical information and feelings at the COP:

Hi I’m one the Sudanese negotiators here in Copenhagen, we are the ones trying to make a good deal happen. It’s tough work being a negotiator and even tougher when you realise what is at stake. I think about people back home and the drought. We have increased drought – and then sudden floods. It’s alarming and really having an impact on the lives of so many in our communities.

I’ve been coming to this climate change conference since 2005. Back then our delegation was just five people. With the growing interest from our government on climate change, and the fact we are chair of the G77 – a coalition of developing countries – we are now 11 people. This is the same for most African countries, over the years our numbers in the negotiation room has gone up and this can only be a good thing. I’m really proud of Africa during these negotiations, I think we are really influential, we know what the priorities for the continent are and the process has allowed us to engage a lot. Engagement is important but what’s more important is the text which will be signed at the end. We hope our efforts and everyone who is backing a good deal gets that good deal. The right deal is crucial to so many people and their livelihoods. If it doesn’t happen, it will not be a reflection of what the people really want and what they have been campaigning for. I have to say it is very difficult, having the whole world into a room and getting them to agree. There are times when some countries will disagree with one line and another country will come up with ‘an intelligent’ solution to the problem and suggest another line! We could be there for hours till everyone is satisfied. Last night I left at 1am.

I think from inside the negotiating room we are all worried about the time we have to make a good deal. WE don’t have long. On top of that, Sudan, along with many other countries is worried that we will not get a legally binding deal. Having a political agreement which is not legally binding will be a disaster and not a reflection of the hard work that has gone into it.

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About Bruce Hewitson, South African Climatologist

Bruce Hewitson is a self-described climatologist with a hatred of labels, and insists that his interests are eclectic. He has been a resident at the University of Cape Town in Rondebosch, South Africa, since 1992. He currently works with the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) research group in the ENGEO department. His research interests include climate modeling, climate change, and interesting analysis methodologies. Extended interests in appropriate technology for Africa and scientific capacity building.

Credit to an autobiographical snippet from the CSAG webpage.

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About Denis J. Sonwa, Cameroonian Scientist

At COP-15, Denis J. Sonwa was a scientist for CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) from Cameroon, Africa. His research has primarily shown that “Forest resources play key roles in socio-economic and ecological contexts in Central Africa,” and has been aimed to help meet the needs of small farmers and the ecological requirements of central and southern Cameroon. He has also previously done work with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Humid Forest Ecoregional Center in Cameroon. In our interviews with him, he talked with us about the potential benefits of implementing of REDD programs, particularly the preservation of resources and reduction of poverty. Inherently he has stressed the need for consideration of indigenous peoples’ needs and the necessity for their involvement in these programs.

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About Damian Casmiri, Tanzanian Delegate

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Video of Mr. Casmiri describing his role at COP-15.

Mr. Damian Casmiri is a Climate Change/Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) expert. He is a Masters graduate in Integrated Water Resources Management at the University of Dar es Salaam. His first degree was Environmental Sciences and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. He has been working with Environmental Protection and Management Services on Climate Change mitigation through identifying and developing Clean Development Mechanism projects in Tanzania.
Damian has attended several water and environmental related training. He has attended Climate Change (Science, Impacts and Responses) training at the Imperial College London. He attended workshop on the establishment catchment management agency in, Durbanville, Republic of South Africa. Also has attended training on Capacity Development for Clean Development Mechanism (CD4CDM) organized by UNEP riso centre as well as attending several workshops on CDM.
He has done researches on the effects of recreational activities on coastal pollution and involvement of community and willingness to pay in rural water supply privatization.

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Denis J. Sonwa on Developing Countries

Denis J. Sonwa – Developing Countries
Mr. Denis J. Sonwa, a scientist for CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) in Cameroon talks about the adaptation needs of people in Central Africa and how by improving their livelihood, we can count on the people to take care of the carbon stock, or forests, in the area.

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Denis J. Sonwa was a scientist at COP-15 with CIFOR. He is from Cameroon, a nation in Africa.

Denis J. Sonwa on Common but Differentiated Responsibilities

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Mr. Denis J. Sonwa, a scientist for CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) in Cameroon talks about the difficulties in implementing mitigation strategies in Central Africa, as well as the possibility of REDD programs in helping to improve the quality of life for local people.

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Denis J. Sonwa was a scientist at COP-15 with CIFOR. He is from Cameroon, a nation in Africa.

Denis J. Sonwa on Implementation of REDD Programs

Denis J. Sonwa of Cameroon

Mr. Denis J. Sonwa, a scientist for CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) in Cameroon talks about the possibilities for poverty alleviation and mitigation under REDD.

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Denis J. Sonwa was a scientist at COP-15 with CIFOR. He is from Cameroon, a nation in Africa.

Bruce Hewitson on What Success Means at the COP

Hewitson_outcome

Question asked: What would be a successful outcome for COP-15?

Hewitson’s response: Hewitson argues that success means something different to every nation. He does, however, venture at a few factors that would aid in an outcomes success: the agreement could not be imposed by the developed world onto the developing nations; each country would have to make significant sacrifices; and the tenants would need to be enforceable (legally binding).

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At COP-15, Bruce Hewitson was a South African climatologist working with the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG).

Bruce Hewitson on Research and Policy as Necessarily Separate at COP-15

Hewitson_research policy at COP

Question asked: How do researchers and policy-makers interact at the COP?

Hewitson’s answer: Hewitson states that scientists were necessarily divorced from the political presence by the time of Copenhagen; he felt the political process was already complicated and the necessary science informing the negotiation had already been done. Copenhagen, he said, was not about the interaction of scientists and politicians, but instead was, for scientists, about working with other scientists and organizations that focused on issues of adaptation and response work.

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At COP-15, Bruce Hewitson was a South African climatologist working with the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG).

Bruce Hewitson on Regional Climate Modeling in Africa

Hewitson_research

Question asked: What area of research do you work in and how does it relate to the COP?

Hewitson’s answer: Hewitson focused mainly on regional climate projections in Africa. He did not feel that it directly tied into the political process, but that his presence added visibility of Africa’s issues to other scientists in attendance at the COP.

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At COP-15, Bruce Hewitson was a South African climatologist working with the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG).

Bruce Hewitson on Ethics vs. National Interest

Hewitson_ethical vs practical

Question asked: do ethical interests gain ground in the negotiations or are practical interests more directly addressed?

Hewitson’s answer: Hewitson comments that countries almost exclusively favor their national interests to altruism. He notes that certain groups, such as the European Union, have made altruistic sacrifices (by my colleague, Brett Shollenberger’s, best definition: actions that are not economically, socially, or politically beneficial to a nation in the short term, with the exclusion of intergovernmental social and political interaction). Hewitson argues, however, that altruism is the only way to achieve intergenerational equity. He feels that the United States’ target of 17% reductions relative to 2005 levels by 2020 is inequitable (to put it nicely).

Want to learn more about this interviewee? About Bruce Hewitson

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At COP-15, Bruce Hewitson was a South African climatologist working with the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG).

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