ROLE OF CITIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

1. ROLE OF CITIES IN THE FIGHTAGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE by Hady Mody SALL from Bamako

2. Climate change a challenge for all of us • Climate change has become a major subject in the debate on environmental issues. In this, no nation in the world must feel less concerned. By the way, our municipalities which are growing to key actors in the social and economic development in southern countries are as challenged as their northern counterparts.

3. Climate change a challenge for all of us • The question is not who is responsible for the climate change? We all have our share of responsibility. The challenge is: what can we do to limit the damage and reach a reversal of the current trend?

4. Since the 1970s • Since the 1970s, drought has made ravages in the Sahel countries. • As our country's economy is essentially pastoral and dependent on rain, this calamity caused therefore a mass exodus of rural populations to cities, including Bamako.

5. Negative impact on cities • Drought continues to hit our country and its system of agrarian production in a cyclic way. • The population of Bamako has tripled in 30 years, between 1976 and 2006. • This high population growth causes other problems in the organization and management of the city.

6. New effects of climate change • Nowadays we witness great disturbances that result in heavy rain on a very short time duration. • Then it follows damage on collective works and floods.

7. What we do in Bamako • What do we do to address climate change? • I must say that Bamako has not yet developed its own plan in this area. However the city has programs designed to combat certain effects of climate change. • Each year it runs actions of reforestation in August. • The City Council has also prepared an urban forestry and green spaces development project in Bamako. A project not yet funded.

8. The challenge of funding • That is also a major challenge which we all face. • Consequences of climate change have no borders. Earth warming which threatens the survival of the Sahelian band populations as well as the rise of water in coastal areas is due to effects of combined actions of the population of our planet. • To meet them we need joint actions in an international solidarity framework. If mechanisms of funding are in place, the actions delay to take shape.

9. Our interest in the question • There is no doubt that we are interested in Bamako, to develop a climate plan and strive to mobilize resources for its financing. To do so we will need various supports, including expertise. • There is no shortage of ideas but we will work in the continuity of the already initiated actions which is the reforestation of hills bordering the city. • Only the hill of Koulouba, the President’s Palace, has current interventions.

10. Our interest in the question • This hill side benefited of tree planting operations led by the six mayors of our municipalities and the mayor of Bamako. • There are many other hill sides in the suburbs of Bamako that would be very useful for several reasons if we could replant them. • Among different advantages we can educate youth and children for the sustainability of efforts against climate change • We can also develop a model initiative for rural populations of the entire country.

11. The end • Here is summarized the situation with regard to what we do and also what we are planning to combat climate change. • Thank you for your attention.