Written by: Janina Peter, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
After COP27 was concluded last week, there are still many challenges that need immediate action. Here are five things you can do to make a change today.
1. Learn more about the effects of climate change globally
The consequences of climate change are palpable worldwide, but especially in the global south. Uganda, one of the countries affected, is traversed by lakes, savannas, and the jungle, making the climate rather tropical with stable rainfall patterns. However, the cycle of rainfall and the dry season is transforming into floods and droughts due to climate change. From year to year, droughts become longer and harsher, and rains last too long or too short.
2. Understand the relationship between climate and agriculture
The Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda hosts almost a quarter million refugees. In Bidbidi, agriculture is the main source of living. Facing the current drought, farmers are not able to harvest their crops. A lack of local crops together with increasing global food prices causes hunger and malnutrition in the community. Now more than ever, it is important to support those providing food for their community.
3. Stay optimistic and focus on solutions
Bridging Gaps is a non-profit providing entrepreneurship training and microloans to communities in the global south. With its partnership organization Afri-Youth Network in Bidibidi, Bridging Gaps empowers locals who create sustainable change in their community to become self-sufficient. Many training participants are interested in working in agriculture and contributing to Bidibidi’s food security.
4. Listen to voices from affected communities
Mawa, a South Sudanese refugee who wants to become a farmer, shared his story with Bridging Gaps: “Let me share with you the story about my life as a refugee: I was a successful businessman back in South Sudan, I had already built my own house and even had my own car. When the war broke out, I lost everything that I had. My car was taken, my house has been destroyed. When I came to the settlement, I started facing a lot of difficulties.” Being a farmer in Bidibidi, there are ongoing challenges. A microloan can support farmers buy new equipment, resilient seeds, fertilizers, and other necessities to continue farming during challenging situations. “The name of my business idea is 'Emmy Farm Project'. I will earn money through selling a variety of products that I grow in my field in the months to come”, explains Mawa.
5. Support a local farmer through a microloan
Between COVID-19, climate change, and conflicts, times are challenging for all of us. Living in a globalized world, we have to stand together as a global community to solve these challenges together. Even by contributing a little, you can make a big change for someone else. Through Bridging Gaps, you can enable Mawa to become a self-sufficient farmer.
Visit the Bridging Gaps website to find out more.
Janina Peter, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Janina is a leader in food systems transformation, using innovation and tech for good. With Bridging Gaps, she is reinventing microloans and empowering underserved communities globally. Using her background in development economics and international studies, Janina has worked for the World Food Programme’s fundraising and advocacy app ShareTheMeal, Thought For Food and its Food Systems Game Changers Lab, and the United Nations Food Systems Summit, among others. Her mission: Creating healthier food systems to achieve zero hunger and zero poverty through innovation.
