The Absurd Inequality of Climate Work — and How to Fix It | Joshua Amponsem | TED

Summary

At the Africa Climate Summit, the strategy director of the Youth Climate Justice Fund emphasized the importance of empowering young people in Africa to lead the climate transition. Despite the challenges, including colonial legacies and the lack of local funding, the speaker advocates for local leadership and talent development. Through examples from academia, finance, and policy, the director highlighted the necessity of investing in youth and community-driven solutions. The vision for a just and sustainable transition is clear: young people from the Global South must not only be workers but leaders in the fight against climate change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Youth Climate Justice Fund receives a majority of applications from Africa, but the focus of these applications is often on labor-intensive tasks like tree planting, rather than high-level roles such as data analysts or carbon market experts.
• 😀 Many young Africans still view their role in climate solutions as labor-driven due to the historical legacy of colonialism, which impacts their access to opportunities and resources.
• 😀 A shift in mindset is needed to empower youth from the Global South to take leadership roles in the global climate transition, moving beyond just manual labor to innovative, high-skill jobs.
• 😀 The Global South must take the lead in its own climate transition, especially in Africa, where 70% of the population is under 30 and ready to drive change if given the right resources and opportunities.
• 😀 There is a significant gap in climate research funding, with the majority of funding for climate research in Africa going to Global North institutions, perpetuating scientific inequality.
• 😀 Local academic institutions in Africa need better resources to equip students with the skills to lead in climate solutions, as many universities still lack the necessary tools and training for effective climate action.
• 😀 The Youth Climate Justice Fund has already committed $2.1 million to 90 groups in 40 countries, demonstrating the importance of investing in local, grassroots solutions to climate change.
• 😀 Only a small percentage of climate funding is directed towards Indigenous and local communities, despite their critical role in addressing climate issues and their deep knowledge of sustainable practices.
• 😀 Policies that foster local leadership are crucial for the climate transition. Examples like the zero-waste initiatives in Accra show the potential of including local communities in policy-making and job creation.
• 😀 The transition to renewable energy in Africa is expected to generate millions of jobs, but these opportunities will only be realized if policies are developed to train and empower the local workforce.
• 😀 Young people in Africa are eager to lead in the climate transition and have the talent, knowledge, and ambition to become global leaders in climate solutions, not just workers in the field.

Q & A

Why do many young climate leaders from Africa focus on tree planting and waste collection for income generation?

Many young climate leaders from Africa focus on tree planting and waste collection because they often perceive these as the immediate, labor-intensive solutions to climate issues. This mindset stems from a historical context rooted in colonialism, where African workers were traditionally assigned manual labor roles rather than high-level, analytical, or policy-driven tasks.

What role does the Global North play in the climate transition, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that the Global North plays a significant role in funding climate initiatives in the Global South, but this often suppresses local leadership and limits the capacity of Global South communities to lead the transition. The speaker proposes a new vision where young people from the Global South take the lead in the transition.

How does the speaker propose to address the science inequality in climate research?

The speaker suggests that more funding and research opportunities need to be directed to institutions in the Global South. They also highlight the importance of having local researchers lead the climate research, rather than relying on the Global North, which has historically received most of the funding and recognition.

What is the Youth Climate Justice Fund and its purpose?

The Youth Climate Justice Fund aims to support historically underfunded communities and youth-led organizations in the Global South. The fund has committed millions of dollars to climate-related projects, helping local groups address their climate challenges and create sustainable solutions while empowering young leaders.

How does the speaker view the relationship between finance and climate justice?

The speaker critiques the limited financial resources directed toward Indigenous and local communities in the Global South. They argue that a significant portion of climate funding should be invested in these communities to ensure the success of the climate transition and to create local leadership and job opportunities.

What challenges does Africa face regarding the workforce for the green transition?

Africa faces the challenge of a workforce that is largely engaged in low-income, labor-intensive jobs, such as tree planting and artisanal mining. The speaker calls for a shift in mindset, where young people from Africa are trained to take on higher-level roles in the green economy, such as forest data analysts, engineers, and innovators.

How does the speaker suggest policies should evolve to support the green transition?

The speaker argues that policies need to be designed to foster local leadership and inclusion, particularly for informal workers. They point to the example of the circular economy in African cities, where informal waste workers are involved in policymaking and contribute to the success of the green transition.

What are the examples of emerging policies that could drive the green transition in Africa?

The speaker mentions initiatives like the zero-waste project in Accra, which has successfully created jobs, reduced emissions, and been shortlisted for the Earthshot Prize. Such policies are seen as crucial for supporting the transition to a circular economy and empowering local communities.

What is the significance of youth leadership in the climate transition, according to the speaker?

The speaker stresses that youth leadership is critical for the success of the climate transition, especially in Africa, where a large portion of the population is under 30. They call for a shift in how young people are engaged, with a focus on developing their talents to lead the transition rather than only being involved in labor-intensive tasks.

How does the speaker envision Africa's role in the global climate transition?

The speaker envisions Africa as a leader in the climate transition, with its young people taking on key roles in developing and implementing solutions. They emphasize that Africa has the workforce, talent, and knowledge necessary to lead the transition, and failure to engage young people would mean failing to fully realize the potential of the climate transition.