SIERRA LEONE: WE RISE FOR CLIMATE!

Alfred Fornah
Sep 9, 2018
2 min read

Concerned citizens and school children in Sierra Leone joined a day of worldwide Rise For Climate events holding our local leaders to account about putting climate justice before profit and clean green energy before polluting climate-warming fossil fuel.

Organized and hosted at the Freetown Teacher's College on Saturday 8th September by Sierra Leone environmental champions: Sierra Leone School Green Club, Society 4 Climate Change Communication (S4CCC) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance in partnership with international campaigning organizations, 350, Citizen Climate Lobby.

Sierra Leone Young Diplomat 2018, Alhassan Sesay said:

"We demand that our leaders put people and justice before profit and develop affordable clean energy for everyone."

Young Diplomat for Climate Action 2018, Alfred Fornah from S4CCC:

"Real climate leadership rises from below - from events like these engaging everyday citizens in policy development - the people should always be our main stakeholders in everything we do."

A goodly turnout of citizens had the opportunity to quiz local leaders direct about clean energy concerns and heard many promising commitments from representatives:

Alhassan Yillah from Western Area District council committed to plan for sustainable services including clean water and clean energy for every community.

The Headmen of Jui and Kossoh promised to develop and implement environmental bye-laws to protect our forests and prevent deforestation and to protect mangroves and robustly tackle building homes on our precious wetlands.

The representative for the constituency 112 MP promised to support environmental legistlation to tackle environmental issues.

The well-attended event climaxed with an impressive and inspirational display of art on parachutes presented by children from Kelly's Secondary school, Edest Academy, Jui Vocational Institute and Portee Vocational Institute - proof that our children and our youths often teach us and lead the way on climate action!