"Crispin Ngakani Leads Climate Action Through ‘School and Village with Trees’ Initiative"

Can you give us a brief overview of your project and how it addresses SDG 13?

The main project involves carrying out a series of tree planting activities and climate and environmental education campaigns in schools and villages in order to combat climate crises such as floods, landslides and heat rise.

What inspired you to tackle climate change as part of your project?

As a climate activist, I have had to lead several awareness campaigns, tree plantings and workshops on environmental education, the promotion of renewable energies and the fight against deforestation.

What specific goals did your project aim to achieve in relation to combating climate change?

Combating floods, landslides and sustainable management of ecosystems.

How did your project contribute to raising awareness about climate change or reducing its impacts?

Through awareness campaigns that we carried out in schools, tree planting activities and environmental education in schools.

Did your project focus on any particular aspect of climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation, education)? If so, could you explain this focus?

Yes, all three (mitigation, adaptation and education) through on-the-ground actions, tree planting, awareness campaigns in schools and universities.

What were some of the challenges you faced while implementing your project, particularly in addressing climate change, and how did you overcome them?

The challenges have been enormous, including funding, access to communities most affected by crises, and reaching high-risk areas.

Can you share any specific outcomes or impacts your project had in relation to SDG 13?

More young people and indigenous peoples communities were involved in planting more trees and many of the students were well trained in sustainable waste and land management.

Did your project involve collaboration with other students, organizations, or community members? If yes, how did this collaboration enhance your project's effectiveness in combating climate change?

The project was inclusive and we had to integrate all social strata of the population (students, young people, indigenous peoples), and many had to get involved massively at the local level.

What were some key lessons you learned from working on this project related to SDG 13?

Climate change is real and the more collective the actions of young people are, the less the impact becomes.

Looking ahead, how do you plan to continue your efforts to combat climate change beyond the scope of your project, and what role do you see yourself playing in future climate action initiatives?

Impact the world more by participating in global climate negotiations (summits, COPs), advocate more in favor of communities affected by climate crises, share more of the actions already undertaken, the challenges we face and the contributions already made.