Posted by: Africa is often stereotyped in the western press and presented as a continent that is full of strife and chaos, with the citizens of various African countries presented only as victims of various catastrophes. On 350.org's International Day of Climate Action, all across the continent citizens showed leadership and vision in calling for a more sustainable world, secured by an international climate treaty that is fair, ambitious, and binding.
At the international climate negotiations, many leaders of African countries have called for 350, joining members of the Alliance of Small Island States in pushing for a strong enough climate treaty to ensure the survival of all peoples and countries. The impacts of climate change have been projected to be devastating to many African countries, but leaders, at both the grassroots and international level, are stepping up to call for action and mobilize for leadership, calling on world leaders to act this December, in Copenhagen.
The TckTckTck campaign and 350.org's International Day of Climate Action have been supported by three African Nobel Peace Prize winners, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, and Wangari Maathai, who have lent their moral authority and voice to call for strong action this year on climate change. In Ethopia, South Africa, Rwanda, and so many other countries, people turned out in enormous numbers to support the goal of 350ppm for an International Climate Treaty. A generation of web enabled young people in Africa (read some of their posts from Blog Action Day) have taken up climate change and building a sustainable future.
The result is an amazing surge of activity, such as the 20,000 schoolchildren that marched for the International Day of Climate Action in Ethiopia, carrying 350 signs, and much, much more. See the photos from all over Africa, below and recognize the vitality and passion for climate action in everyday citizens and extraordinary leaders, alike.
Rally and march of 20,000 schoolchildren in Ethiopia, supporting 350:
350 Banners in Capetown, South Africa:
4,000 runners for 350 in Lome, Togo:
350 Elephants in Okavango Delta, Botswana:
Villagers with a hand-tagged photo, from KinkoleKinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Freetown, Sierra Leone
350 action at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt:
Schoolchildren in Tema, Ghana hold 350 signs:
Be sure to keep an eye on the centre of the action, at 350.org, for more incredible photos.