Africa Programs Building Community Resilience to Climate Change in Senegal Every year, Senegal’s Kedougou region is more and more threatened by climate change. As natural disasters like erratic rainfall, floods, prolonged droughts, and soil erosion become more frequent the “hunger” season grows longer. During which a staggering 70% of the population have to reduce their food intake to survive. Chimpanzees are also feeling the impacts. Forests are being cut and burned to create fields – often leading to uncontrolled bushfires and significant habitat loss for chimpanzees and other animals who share their home. Adapting agricultural practices to meet these challenges has never been more urgent. Half the people meeting these challenges are women, who make up 50% of the region’s active farmers. In partnership with JGI Senegal, the Réserve Naturelle Communautaire de Dindéfélo, and community members, we’re collaborating with farmers while promoting gender equality so that women have greater decision-making roles, and people can live in better harmony with the natural world. Behind the Scenes Community-Driven Solutions Supporting women to produce and sell fonio, a drought-resistant “survival food” that can help communities throughout the “hunger season.” Supporting women – the primary collectors of firewood – to produce and market biomass briquettes, alternative fuel sources that reduce the need to cut trees. Collaborating with local governments and communities to implement sustainable forest management and protection, addressing capacity issues with local monitoring and enforcement. Enhancing forest carbon sinks by supporting agroforestry, including the promotion of Indigenous species, training local authorities and community members on forest conservation. Impact Forest Fires 100% of trained community members increased their technical knowledge on how to effectively contribute to sustainable forest management, and how to prevent forest fires. Forest Management 1040 community members (57% women) were trained on sustainable forest management and fire prevention. Fonio Seeds 4.9kkg of fonio seeds were distributed to women farmers in 14 villages in the Kedougou region. Supplies 975 women farmers received agricultural supplies, including drought-resistant seeds, tarps and basins. It’s time for women to band together, take the power, and heal the earth. Dr. Jane Goodall Explore Related Content Issue Learn About Climate Change Studies show we have less than a decade to prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees. Anything more would be catastrophic. As a global community, we are not on track to hit that target. Learn More Hope & Inspiration Jane Has a Podcast The Hopecast his been downloaded by millions of people since it launched in the middle of the pandemic. Listen to Jane have fireside chats with the people who inspire and motivate her every day. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now Resources Download Our Climate Change Curriculum Guide Bring deeper climate change knowledge into your classroom, family home, or just to be more informed next time it comes up in conversation. The guide has been developed with experts from across the JGI Canada network. Read Support the Building Community Resilience project to eliminate poverty and empower people in the face of climate change. Donate Today This project is funded in partnership with the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada.
