Mnangagwa calls for stronger action to protect wetlands at COP15

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for a global shift in mindset and policy to protect the world’s wetlands, describing them as vital ecosystems under growing threat. This was said during the opening of the COP15 summit of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls, Mnangagwa said wetlands provide essential services including water purification, flood…

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Global leaders urge stronger enforcement as 22% of wetlands lost since 1970

Environmental leaders at the COP15 summit on wetlands have called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent the continued degradation of wetlands, as countries face growing challenges in managing and restoring these critical ecosystems. The Global Wetland Report states that since 1970, wetlands have declined by 0.52% per year, amounting to the loss of over 411…

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Africa faces steep wetland loss amid urgent calls for policy, finance 

Africa is facing an alarming rate of wetland degradation, with losses that may surpass the global average of 35% since 1970, warns Dr Julie Mulonga, Director of Wetlands International East Africa. She warned of widespread environmental and economic consequences unless urgent action is taken to restore and protect the continent’s rapidly disappearing wetlands. Ahead of…

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Farming against the odds: Chibvuti farmers show resilience amid climate change pressures 

By Yeukai Kaponda Located about 40 kilometers from Harare’s Central Business District, Chibvuti Farm in Goromonzi South District has long been known for its fertile soils and strong agricultural output. Now, this close-knit A1 farming community is showing how rural farmers are bravely confronting the harsh realities of a changing climate. Despite being situated in…

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Youth across Africa turn to indigenous knowledge systems to confront climate crisis

Beneath the iconic shade of “Dodger Doom,” a gathering spot sacred to Zimbabwe’s hip-hop community, over 60 young people gathered to share their experiences of climate change. They spoke of failed harvests, water shortages, plastic pollution and floods that have uprooted communities. But they also spoke of hope, hope rooted in traditional knowledge, cultural heritage,…

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Wildlife conservation is critical, not only for ecosystems but also for livelihoods of communities through tourism and conservation-driven industries

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to wildlife conservation as a critical pillar of both environmental sustainability and economic development. This came at the biennial meeting of SADC ministers responsible for Environment, Natural Resources, and Tourism, held to assess progress on implementing key regional initiatives. This year’s session coincided with the…

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There can be no true conservation without the active leadership of local communities

Local communities must be placed at the heart of global conservation efforts to ensure long-term success and sustainability, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba, said on Monday. During the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA)  in Harare running under the theme: TFCAs 25 Years of Cooperation for…

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Zimbabwe banks on carbon credits – but at what cost to communities?

Zimbabwe has officially entered the global carbon credit trading arena with the pilot launch of the Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority and a National Carbon Registry, marking a key step in the country’s efforts to combat climate change and unlock sustainable investments that will directly benefit local communities. Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu…

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