Health and climate change experts from across Africa have raised the alarm over the growing health risks posed by climate change, warning that failure to meaningfully involve communities in climate and health policymaking could worsen the crisis.
Speaking during a virtual Cross-Border Science Media Café, stakeholders from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabweemphasized that affected communities must not be sidelined in the development of climate action plans, particularly those addressing health-related threats.
Brighton Aryampa, a Ugandan climate advocate and Team Leader of Youth for Green Communities (YGC), criticized national policies such as Uganda’s Climate Change Act 2021 and the Parish Development Model, arguing that they lack adequate input from grassroots communities.
He noted that such exclusion not only weakens the effectiveness of climate interventions but also undermines public trust and long-term sustainability.
Mudenda Mweetwa, a Zambian climate researcher, called for greater community participation in identifying local climate risks, such as urban heat hotspots.
He proposed homegrown solutions like tree planting, mist cooling systems,and climate-resilient urban planning as effective tools in reducing heat-related illnesses.
Dominic Nyasulu, Coordinator of Malawi’s National Youth Network on Climate Change, echoed the need for inclusive and locally grounded responses.
He stressed that solutions should be co-created with affected populations, not imposed from above.
Nyasulu highlighted green infrastructure as a key area for innovation, citing global examples such as vegetated building surfaces and green roofs being used in the Netherlands to cool cities and improve air quality.
“Our cities are dominated by concrete and steel with little vegetation,” he said. “We need to reimagine our urban spaces—planting trees in every household, greening rooftops, and using reflective materials instead of heat-absorbing dark surfaces.”
In addition to promoting urban greening, experts at the forum also called for the strengthening of climate-sensitive health systems, early warning mechanisms, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
They further recommended the training of “local heat champions” to lead grassroots initiatives that link climate adaptation with community health.
The experts concluded that truly sustainable climate policy must begin with and be led by the communities it seeks to serve.
By Ben Musanje
30th June 2025
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