The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, joined music icon Okyeame Kwame and one of Ghana’s Tourism Art and Culture Ambassadors, Matthew Mensah, on Thursday, August 12 to launch the first climate clock campaign in Africa as part of the international youth day celebrations.
According to the coordinator and tourism Ambassador Matthew Mensah, Climate Clock is launched to request all world leaders to act in time to solve issues relating to climate change.
Ghana is the first country in Africa to start the campaign and the next will be Nigeria.
He said, “the clock will be delivered to President to Nana Akufo -Addo, who serves as co-chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals program.
The event officially launches the #ActIn Time campaign, which will use the CLIMATE CLOCK to push leaders to confront the climate crisis at the massive scale required to avert the worst climate impacts.”
He added that musician Okyeame Kwame was chosen to be the Climate Clock’s official National Ambassador for Ghana due to his involvement and his interest in humanitarian campaigns Climate Clock’s official National Ambassador for Ghana, “His mission will be employing his widespread popularity to help mobilize communities to engage with government officials in making greater climate commitments in the months surrounding the upcoming UN Climate Summit, and ensuring that the government then follows through. He will also lend his voice & presence at the COP26 in November 2021.”
Speaking at the event launch held in Accra Okyeame Kwame, pledged to dedicate his social media handles and his craft to promote and create awareness on issues of climate change. He also urged social medial users to participate and join in conversations to save the environment.
The event comes in the wake of a new UN IPC C Report describing the climate crisis as a “code red for humanity” that must be addressed immediately. #ActIn Time Ghana will also be launching an open participatory process inviting stakeholders to submit climate proposals that will become part of a resolution sent to Ghana in Parliament.
The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, named the “Chief Patron” of the Climate Clock in Ghana, pledged to bring the message of urgent climate action to other mayors across Africa as he represents African Mayors as Vice-Chair on the Steering Committee of C40 Cities, an international Climate Leadership Group. He also serves on the Board of the Global Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy representing African Mayors.
The head of the Tourism Authority of Ghana, Akwasi Agyeman, at the event was named as “Patron” of the Climate Clock in Ghana and recognized for his work on eco-tourism. He will be working with the campaign to install a monumental sized Climate Clock in Ghana, similar to the one in New York City, helping to establish Ghana as a climate leader and at the same time establish a new major tourist site.
The event was attended by student groups from the University of Ghana, Legon, Youth climate leaders from 3 5 0 Ghana – Reducing Our Carbon (GROC ) and Global Youth Empowerment Movement (GYEM), AbibiNsro ma Foundation (A NF), Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) dozens of youths also participated in tree planting activities in Accra City Triangle Park.
About the Climate Clock
Global Ambassador Delivers Climate Clock to Ghana: The clock was first brought to the country of Ghana in March by Climate Clock’s global ambassador Jerome Ringo. Ringo first received the handheld clock on Earth Day in New York City in front of the famous giant Climate Clock in Union Square.
Ringo is the former Chairman of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the first African American to hold that position, and has direct experience with climate change impacts. His own community in Louisiana has been severely impacted by the increased frequency of extreme weather events tied to climate change. Synchronized Clocks All Around The World: The Climate Clock project aims to put clocks all around the world to mobilize the public and get world leaders to #ActInTime.
The project made global headlines when the first giant clock was installed in New York City’s Union Square in September, generating widespread public attention. A portable handheld version of the clock was recently released that climate advocates are now carrying around the world. More giant monumental clocks have recently been installed in Seoul, South Korea, Rome, Italy, and Glasgow, Scotland, which will be the site of the next UN Conference in November. Ringo has personally delivered clocks to leaders in Nigeria and Ghana and the UN Ambassador from ECO WAS, which represents 15 West African nations. #ActInTime Ghana launch
What does the Climate Clock tell us? The CLIMATE CLOCK shows 2 numbers, a Deadline in red and a Lifeline in blue/green. The Deadline counts down the critical time window we have left in our carbon budget, while the Lifeline counts up and tracking our progress on key solution pathways, such as renewable energy. Together, they tell us what we need to do by when. The Clock frames our critical mission — a rapid and just transition to a fossil fuel-free, safe climate future.
The Science Behind the Clock: The CLIMATE CLOCK shows two sets of data. The deadline number shows when our global Carbon Budget runs out, i.e. the time left before we emit so much carbon into the atmosphere that we set the world on a course to exceed 1.5 C warming, which scientists say is a critical tipping point after which the effects of Climate Change are irreversible. In addition to this Deadline, the clock shows a “Lifeline” that displays the percentage of global energy currently supplied from renewable sources — 12.4 per cent and going up, but it needs to be going up much faster to meet our deadline.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
