Increased production of fuel wood, fodder and non-timber forest products

Photo credit: Pixabay

Niger: Sand storm

Rights to Trees and Livelihoods in Niger

Traditionally, farmers in Niger and across the Sahel had developed practices to ensure the sustainable use of trees and tree products. But, beginning with the French colonial government, laws and regulations in Niger made all trees state property, and penalized farmers who felled or pruned trees.

With no incentive to maintain trees on their property—and with families to feed—farmers in need of agricultural land removed the trees and other natural vegetation. This had the unintended consequence of worsening erosion and reducing soil fertility and yields, which pushed farmers to cultivate ever more marginal lands.

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Photo credit: WVC – 1998-02-ceinture-verte-03 copy.jpg

Niamey, Niger 1998 : Participation of TC-Dialogue (Belgium) in the Ceinture Verte de Niamey (Green Belt around Niamey) of the National Reforestation Programme of Niger. Handing over of tree seeds and TerraCottem soil conditioner.

All we need is the will to change (R.K. Pachauri, IPCC)

Photo credit: Pixabay

Drought in Namibia – Edible spineless Opuntia cactus

Africa: Climate Change Threatens Irreversible, Dangerous Impacts

HUMAN influence on the climate system is clear and growing, with impacts observed on all continents. If left unchecked, climate change will increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems.

However, options are available to adapt to climate change and implementing stringent mitigations activities can ensure that the impacts of climate change remain within a manageable range, creating a brighter and more sustainable future.

These are among the key findings of the Synthesis Report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Nov. 2, 2014.

The Synthesis Report distils and integrates the findings of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report produced by over 800 scientists and released over the past 13 months — the most comprehensive assessment of climate change ever undertaken.

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