In Gulu City, young leaders converged for a consultation on climate change and biodiversity, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussing challenges affecting Northern Uganda. The event targeted actionable recommendations on climate change, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development in Northern Uganda. The participants present were encouraged to collaborate openly and deliver concrete results for the dire environmental and social issues besetting the region.

The participants assured their full engagement in biodiversity conservation during the entire consultation period. Olanya Richard concentrated on sustainable waste management and organic practices, while Brenda Atimango emphasized her works on water conservation, especially sensitizing farmers on the protection of water resources. Maxwell Opwonya, a student from Gulu University contributed to a traditional cultural village initiative that involves planting indigenous tree species and managing a biobank for traditional medicine and indigenous species. Others include Adyero Shelly, an advocate for education and creation of awareness on the need to take care about biodiversity; Nalweyiso Hajarah, who plants trees and does extension work; Rwothomio Owen, who reiterated afforestation, climate-smart agriculture, and setting up nursery banks. All of them together represent different directions that are being taken in the development of biodiversity conservation in Northern Uganda.

The informants had several motivations for biodiversity conservation, including love for nature, exposure to environmental practices that they had observed during their travels, and a way of pursuing sustainable livelihoods. Concern about global warming also motivated them into tree growing and environmental protection. However, some of the major challenges faced were vandalism, poor governance leading to wetland encroachment, and the destruction of trees they had planted. Community support and legislative frameworks were introduced that might allow the biodiversity initiatives to be safeguarded and their viability ensured.

Reflections from Youth Climate Champions

"Now, when we observe that nationally, regionally and globally all of us are involved, there is no blame game," said Grace Atim of Uganda in response to today's global climate crisis. "Some countries may not have enough land to grow trees but in Uganda, we still have the land and young people to do so. We still have the many Protected Areas (PAs) and land outside Pas that we can utilize to regenerate forests which, in turn, will help the Uganda and the rest of the whole world reduce its carbon footprint."

Kabila Jonathan Obbo added "Given that developed countries are only able to pay back through various initiatives that will advance our climate action, it is key to understand that paying back for the losses calls for the Loss and Damage Fund. The world remains obligated to making these payments, and through such mechanisms."

Maxwell Opwonya stated that "Gulu University, has been involved in conservation, and through cultural village, and are working to conserve indigenous plants. The University has a buyback system where indigenous species are grown to reduce the risk of extinction; this way, such plant species are conserved for posterity."

Boniface Otukene, who represents the innovativeness of the youths, observed, "My idea, 'Friends of Nature', revolves around tree growing and sustainable agriculture. This experience of many diverse environmental challenges has really strengthened my endeavors in being an agent of solution at the local level. Empowerment of youth for education and practical experiences is the bedrock towards a sustainable future."

Olanya Richard of Green Blood Plus Investment commended the knowledge-sharing opportunities at the consultation. "Attending this consultation was an eye-opener," he said. "Learning about the different biodiversity challenges we are facing, and how we can together help solve them, motivated me to improve my training programs with farmers. Sustainable practices are integral for our environment and for our people."

Dennis Opio, however, reiterated collaboration during conservation: "I am here to represent the Nimbing Initiative, and as I believe, community involvement is key. Our efforts can only go that one length as long as we get much-needed support from our peers and leaders. It is about creating a collective vision for a sustainable utilization and access of the natural resources in Northern Uganda."

Participants also shared their views regarding the larger perspective on climate change. One contributor shared, "Climate change is a critical determinant factor for all people, animals, and plants in the world. Change comes not by individuals but by collective action.”

By Youth Climate Champions Arthur Musinguzi, Aminah Nassali, and John Robert Turyakira.