Resolving the complexities of climate change need a wholesome approach among all interest groups and shared ideas to mitigate and adapt to save the environment and all associated challenges afflicting the planet.

Climate change campaigner and other interest groups converged in Lusaka for a one-week-long brainstorming conference dubbed: “Co-creating Climate and adaptation Resilience Narratives” and deliberated on various strategies with host Zambia, urging players to join hands and ‘share thoughts for durable solutions while avoiding working in silos (isolation) amid heightened crisis.

President Hakainde Hichilema, noting in awe, the devastations caused to the planet by the ‘human induced activities inimical to preservation, called for co-existence and durable solutions to be devised among campaigners, including research on how to overcome climate change in real time in the interest of future generations.

“We need a ‘whole-of-society” and whole of Government” approach to climate action,” President Hichilema said in a statement read for him by Mike Mposha, the Green Economy and environment Minister, with a call for decisive action including multiplicity research undertakings. “For this to happen we need robust and state of the art climate research that cuts across disciplines or sectors”

Reminiscing over a series of climate-induced activities, back-to-back cycles of extreme seasonal swings, from extreme dry to extreme wet conditions, the 2023-24 drought which affected food, water and energy security and floods that swept away schools and other infrastructure, all leaving devastating destruction to environment and mankind, President Hichilema, citing Zambia, called on scientists to provide credible outcomes to serve as long term preservation action.

“I ask you, our esteemed scientists and partners, how best can nations like Zambia prepare and act on climate change when we are experiencing back-to-back cycles of extreme seasonal swings, from extreme dry to extreme wet conditions?”

He challenged the African Governments to utilize the expertise endowed in their respective municipalities, civil society organisations, the private sector including researchers to brainstorm and unite against the common threat for a durable action that inspires mitigation and adaptation arguing: “Research and governments need to get closer, to inform each other about climate action.”

President Hichilema noting the theme as resonating with the conference urged all interest groups to introspect and plan for the future generations after sharing their stories, successes and failures.

This calls for the mooting an action oriented climate intention that remains a case study for years to come for the betterment of the people and the environment.

“We must learn from one another and build upon the wealth of knowledge that exists within our communities, from our researchers at home, from Africa, the global south and from across the world.

“Let us remember that solutions can often be found in the most unexpected places, Zambia and Africa have a lot to share.”

For climate action to succeed, reliable financing will be needed, a call for the global climate change financing frameworks and multilateral development banks and financial institutions to immediately explore innovative practices.

This will enhance resilience of climate financing tools and platforms.

These climate financing development opportunities, especially for Africa, President Hichilema said should embody practices that are rooted in diverse socio-economic conditions and cultures and tailored to unique developmental conditions and needs.