Climate Change
Evidence of Climate Change
Climate Change is real - Sierra Leone experienced the brutal effects of climate change in the form of the mudslide disaster that occurred in August 2017 and claimed the lives of hundreds of people. Climate change further affects various drivers of growth such as shrinking water supplies, extreme heat, with the most negative consequences being projected through health and agricultural sectors. Similarly, various literature including the World Bank reports have highlighted a plethora of constraints ranging from poor infrastructure and high transportation costs to difficulties encountered by smallholders etc to access finance, technology, information and skills. These issues have gradually created an unfavorable environment for growth of the agricultural sector.
Man made Climate Change?
Human activities of deforestation for illegal cutting of timber, reckless slash and burn, producing charcoal, firewood produce high levels of CO2 which has left the country with less than 10% coverage area and forest trees near extinction.
Climate change is omnipresent and a global threat to humanity. As the global consensus on the need for climate action increases, we must also diligently increase efforts to respond and prevent irreversible damages that will leave future generations to cope with the consequences.
What is Keeping Hope Alive Doing?
Keeping Hope Alive is part of the global movement towards a low carbon, climate resilient future and working to reduce the impact of climate change in agriculture, forests and water. Our strategy involves the development of a framework based on Agroforestry which is an agricultural technique that combines trees with crops (or livestock) to create environmental, economic and social benefits. These outcomes also translate into sustainable independent living and improved livelihoods.
Our nursery in the northern region houses tree crops such as Gmelina Aborea, Terminalia Ivorensis, Cashew, Acacia, Moringa, Neem, Lime etc which are scheduled to be transplanted on farms alongside cash crops next planting season in 2019.
We are also working with women in particular to own forests, educate communities to engage in aforestation, climate smart agriculture and other activities which will reduce their carbon footprints. At the same time we strive to influence government policies which will create climate resilience and solutions.
Makondu Garden and Tree Crop Nursery
This Nursery is situated in Makondu Village, Tonkolili District, Yoni Chiefdom, Sierra Leone and was established to mitigate climate change and alleviate poverty.
Sierra Leone is susceptible to the rigors of climate change subject to man-made activities such as deforestation and mining activities. Consequently, these actions have been manifested in depleted water sources, forest trees near extinction, intense heat and the mudslide (2017) which claimed hundreds of lives. Additionally, the country reportedly has less than 10% coverage
The women and girls of Makondu Village, supported by those from neighboring villages largely contributed to the makings of this nursery. There are currently a minimum of 15,000 tree crops being nursed including; Gmelina Aborea, Neem, Acacia, Terminalia Ivorensis, Cashew, Moringa, Lime etc. These will be transplanted next planting season, intercropped with cash crops (Agroforestry) and will create environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Community members are therefore encouraged to own forests and engage in good practices in order to reduce their carbon footprints. We also have expansion plans to develop nurseries in Bo, Kenema and Pujehun Districts. By joining the global campaign to protect our environment, our contributions are also complimentary to the Government's efforts and key to sustainable development.
Makondu Community supports development of the Garden and Tree Crop Nursery