Mr. Decent Ndlovu, Provincial manager for the Environmental Management Agency of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, said there were adequate laws and policies to safeguard the environment and to embrace mitigation and adaptation efforts.
“We have these issues at hand. At a personal level, also know that when your car is producing unwanted carbon fumes, you are polluting. This should be a case for one to answer. Please ensure your cars are serviced. Cycling is also indeed a clean transportation mode that everyone must start to think about seriously,” he said.
Zimbabwe Climate Change Organisation (ZICCO) director, Mr. Simon Steven, asked what was better between mitigating and adapting. He emphasized its important that Zimbabwe and Africa start to work on policies that were meaningful and inclusive.
“We need to do something that can change the situation and also transform peoples lives. Zimbabwe is therefore coming up with policy around climate change. A strategy is also already in place on how to challenge this phenomenon. We are also collectively, as government through the ministry of environment and civil society – working with communities to bring forth the Zimbabwe Intended National Determined Contributions (INDCs),” he revealed.
He was also happy that the We Have Faith – Act Now for Climate Justice pan-African cycling campaign had decided to cycle as doing so was emitting zero carbon.
“In November this year we also commemorate our obligations through the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) Week, where we have already started engaging schools as we also empower the child around earth gate-keeping.”
PACJA Zimbabwe National Chapter’s Focus Person, Mr. Nicholas Ndlovu said Zimbabwe experienced floods last year likt those in Japan.
“Comparatively, Japan is able to recover from its devastating floods unlike us in Africa, Zimbabwe in particular. We therefore as an African people also call for Loss and Damage to be made realistic,” he said.
Zimbabwe cycles its second leg from Bulawayo to Gweru through Changani, adding 158 kilometres to the 100 kilometres of the first leg from Plumtree Border Control to Bulawayo.
*M’thetho is travelling with the cycling caravan as the official media co-ordinator