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The BBC World Service Trust is the BBC's international development charity. It uses the creative power of media to reduce poverty and promote human rights.
The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. As well as education, it runs programmes in the arts, science, sport, governance and English language.
Raila Odinga: "Africa Talks Climate is relevant and significant now"
At the launch of Africa Talks Climate in Nairobi, the Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said that the research had "opened his eyes" and showed him that "(we) have failed to communicate climate change to our people and (we) must, and will do, better in the future."
He went on to thank the BBC World Service Trust (BBC WST) and the British Council for carrying out the research, which is the most extensive ever conducted on the public understanding of climate change in Africa.Odinga was joined by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai, British High Commissioner Rob Macaire, Kenyan environment secretary Alice Kaudia and Africa Talks Climate researcher Sam Otieno in a panel discussion on the report’s findings, moderated by the BBC’s Josphat Makori.
Africa Talks Climate held discussions with over 1,000 citizens across ten African countries. The research found that people tend to cite local issues such as tree cutting and bush burning, rather than global emissions, as the greater cause of their changing climate. The research argues that people need to be better informed about climate change to effectively understand and respond to it, and that it is essential to identify how media and communication can best support this.
Wangari Maathai, whose Greenbelt Movement aims to mobilise African citizens to protect their environment and economy, highlighted the importance of accessibility and language.
"As the report indicates, the issue of climate change has often been seen as an abstract concept or a scientific subject understood only in universities – but not by the ordinary people. It is very important that we communicate in a language that our people understand."
She went on to say that public awareness of climate change must be supported by governments, especially because of Africa’s economic dependence on primary natural resources.
Odinga, who is the environment lead in Kenya’s coalition government, said that "(we) have a responsibility as Africans to manage our environment better." After the "disappointment" of Copenhagen he looked ahead to the upcoming COP16 summit.
"If we are to achieve success in the next climate change conference in Mexico in November, we must mobilise and galvanise public support in every corner of the world. This is why Africa Talks Climate is relevant and significant now"
After the panel discussion the BBC WST and British Council co-hosted an evening event with the world class percussionist Mouhamadou Sarr and MTV environment winners The Wafalme Kids.