As I read this book, I am struck by the sheer breadth and detail of human experiences woven into the fabric of our changing climate. From the mountains of the Colombian Massif to the sunny shores of Saint Lucia, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Nepal and the northern savanna zones of Ghana, the voices of people such as Víctor Yalanda, Jevanic Henry, Sweta Koirala, and Nakeeyat Dramani Sam echo with urgency, resilience, and hope.
In the Cauca Department of Colombia, Víctor Yalanda, an indigenous leader, paints a picture of a once-predictable world now transformed by uncertainty. The rhythms of nature that guided generations have faltered, leaving communities grappling with the harsh realities of unpredictable weather patterns and dwindling harvests.
Across the ocean, in the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia, Jevanic Henry bears witness to the erosion of coastlines, the bleaching of coral reefs, and the diminishing returns of a once-thriving fishing industry. For island nations like Saint Lucia, the existential threat of climate change looms large, casting an immense, ominous existential shadow over livelihoods and cultural identities.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Himalayas, Sweta Koirala observes the creeping changes that have transformed her beloved Kathmandu. What was once a city of cool breezes and mild winters now swelters under relentless heat. Even the remote mountain villages of Mustang are not immune, as erratic rainfall triggers landslides and threatens age-old ways of life.
And then there is Nakeeyat Dramani Sam, a young climate change champion from the northern part of Ghana, which is experiencing more droughts resulting in desertification with unpredictable occurrences of storms with strong winds – Nakeeyat whose impassioned plea at COP27, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, resonated with the unmistakable sense of urgency that has defined the voice of her generation. For Nakeeyat and millions like her, the climate crisis is not an abstract debate but a stark reality unfolding before their eyes, portending either a dark and unpredictable future or one where peace, prosperity, and fairness thrive.
Yet amidst tales of hardship and loss in this book, there is also resilience and hope. The stories shared within these pages bear testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity. They remind us that while the challenges posed by climate change are daunting, they are not insurmountable.
The cost of delay or inaction is a price we cannot afford to pay. If we can’t adapt, our people will continue to suffer. If we don’t have the capital to pursue net zero, global temperatures will go up. We must now prioritise development-positive climate action. For CVF countries, achieving climate prosperity – which includes zero-carbon economies, with resilient societies, well adapted to a hotter world – is climate justice. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less.
As we delve deeper into the book’s pages, I hope readers will heed the lessons of those who bear the brunt of our changing climate, as well as recognising the interconnectedness of our world and the urgent need for collective action.
I hope this book, in spite of its difficult subject matter, ultimately becomes a source of hope and inspiration – that humanity has within its power the ability to halt global warming; that there are no limits to human ingenuity in the face of this challenge; and that a better future is not only possible, but within reach.
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