Africa is affected by climate change; six of the ten countries hardest hit globally are in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the continent having 40% of the world’s renewable energy resources, 43% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lacks access to electricity. Moreover, only 2% of renewable energy investment flows to the continent in the last decade. “While Europe is in the midst of the transition to renewable energy, young people in Africa have limited access to essential factual information on climate change and global transitions,” explains Marjon Castelijns, founder of Climate Connection. She believes that the upcoming transitions offer huge opportunities for sub-Saharan Africa.
Climate Connection is Marjon’s response to the urgent need for knowledge sharing and action. During the nine months on the road, the organisation aims to reach as many schools, young people, businesses and organisations as possible in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. This is a familiar region for Marjon, who lived in Uganda from 2009 to 2017.
Climate Connection
The aim of Climate Connection is twofold: to share knowledge about climate change in an interactive way; and promote opportunities for people and organisations in Africa through building connections regionally and with Europe. Climate education is considered one of the key solutions for climate action, but translating knowledge into opportunities is also crucial.
“We will not ask people in Africa to start reducing their emissions, because although 20% of the world’s population lives in Africa, they only account for 3% of global CO2 emissions,” Marjon explains. “We want to generate ideas to achieve more well-being in a way that does not deplete the earth as rich countries do. That is why we will conduct workshops in schools and at companies and organisations.” The solutions do not just focus on energy transition but also include circularity, agriculture, and conservation.
Travelling around Africa in an Electric 4×4
Climate Connection’s journey is through a unique mode of transport: a Land Rover Defender 110 converted into an EV, fitted with 16 solar panels. “By travelling in this vehicle, we want to show that e-mobility is possible, even in regions where infrastructure is still in its infancy. If anything, it represents the opportunities that we can create,” said Marjon.
Marjon and Ella’s journey can be followed via the website https://www.climate-connection.org/ and various social media channels indicated on the site.
