Transformative Strategies in Freetown: Building Resilience in the Face of Rising Heat and Climate Challenges
Following a major disaster, the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone, established essential governmental agencies such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and a National Disaster Management Agency. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr sparked a sea change in environmental consciousness by advocating for nature-based solutions. Rising temperatures have a significant impact on the 450,000 people who live in Freetown’s overcrowded informal settlements.
Eugenia Kargbo, Freetown’s Chief Heat Officer, leads innovative initiatives to improve the city’s liveability and assist citizens in coping with growing heat, with a special focus on vulnerable low-income workers and women who suffer disproportionately as a result of excessive heat. Kargbo is part of a global team of female heat officers who are pioneering measures such as cool infrastructure and tree planting to help cities adapt to rising temperatures while also empowering communities and prioritizing adaptation to excessive heat.
Advancing Environmental Innovation: Heirloom’s Groundbreaking Direct Air Carbon Capture Plant in the United States
The unveiling of Heirloom’s first commercial direct air capture (DAC) plant in the United States is a huge step forward in environmental innovation. The technique removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, an important step toward meeting global climate targets. The factory in Tracy, California, catches 1,000 metric tons of crushed limestone each year as part of Heirloom’s cost-cutting strategy. Carbon removal via direct air capture costs the industry $600-$1,000 per ton. Although Heirloom’s initial sales exceeded $2,000 per ton in 2021, the United States hopes to achieve a cost of $100 per ton within a decade. The factory captures and releases CO2 using renewable energy via processed limestone, cooperating with Carbon Cure to store the gas in concrete. Jennifer Granholm, the United States Secretary of Energy, highlights the importance of scaling up.
The factory captures and releases CO2 using renewable energy via processed limestone, cooperating with Carbon Cure to store the gas in concrete. Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, highlights the importance of scaling up operations for effective environmental action.
Preserving Biodiversity: NGT’s Directive for Chevella Banyans’ Protection
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) authorised the NHAI to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to limit tree loss on November 6, 2023, as a triumph for environmental preservation. The NGT encouraged the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change to provide terms of reference and complete the process within four months, highlighting the importance of exploring less harmful road expansion options. This decision is significant for preserving the 46-kilometre length of historic Chevella banyans and creating a precedent for future initiatives. The unique habitat, not protected by legislation allowing NHAI road construction of fewer than 100 kilometres, underscored the critical need for legal protection. The decision, the result of long-term campaigns by the NLH and the Vata Foundation, emphasises the need to save these ancient trees, suggesting alternatives such as translocation to avoid their removal.
Transforming Health Systems: The World Health Organization’s Climate-Resilient Framework for Sustainability
The World Health Organization has launched a comprehensive Operational Framework to strengthen health systems in the face of climate change. It is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure the global community’s health. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasises the dual obligation of reinforcing health systems against climate risks while decreasing their carbon footprint. As climate-related disasters worsen, the need for robust health systems has become more pressing. The WHO Framework plays a critical role in directing countries toward this aim, emphasising population health in the face of a changing climate and unpredictable weather patterns.
