Climate idea/solution for Africa
There is increased felling of trees in Africa more than any other continent in the world. This is due to the high poverty levels amongst the community members. In Arua-Uganda, my home district for example, trees are fell for charcoal burning, of which one sac fetches between 5 to 8 dollars only, however, one to two fully grown trees have to be cut and burnt to raise such a sac. 96% of the population in Arua district use charcoal or wood fuel for cooking as they can not afford other forms of energy for cooking. This has further led to depletion of the forest cover in the district.
How can we address this?
Engage local foresters to raise seedlings for both plantation and agro-forestry, distribute the seedlings to farmers and enter an MoU with them regarding the project. Every household should be able to plant between 20-50 fruit trees of indigenous species, this will help improve nutrition and incomes of the household. Households can not cut down such trees for close to 30 years thereby helping to mitigate some of the adverse effects of climate change. Equally each household shall be encouraged to plant between 500-1000 trees that can be harvest from 3 years and above depending on the tree species for reasons such as timber, building poles, sale. This in will help reduce felling of the existing natural forests for charcoal burning as a source of revenue and livelihood, wood fuel for cooking. Households should equally be encouraged to plant between 2000-5000 tree species that will start for more than 10 years before being harvested, such plantation should be established in different years or phases.
Expected results;
1. improved income levels of the households
2. improved nutrition
3. preservation of the natural tree cover
4. increase in forest cover in the district
5. mitigation of the effects of climate change
