TED Talks Daily The African swamp protecting Earth's environment | Vera Songwe
Mar 24, 2022
Vera Songwe, UN Undersecretary General and economist, sheds light on the critical state of Africa's Congo Basin peatlands, one of the world's effective carbon sinks. She emphasizes the necessity of valuing the carbon stored in these swamps to protect them while benefiting local communities. Songwe argues that preserving these ecosystems isn't just about reducing emissions, but also about fostering sustainable development. Her passionate plea calls for recognition of Africa's contributions to global environmental efforts, advocating for justice and transparency in climate action.
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The Swamp Dwellers
- Vera Songwe recounts Wole Soyinka's play "The Swamp Dwellers."
- It's about a blind beggar trying to buy swampland for a better livelihood, while villagers believe a deity in the swamp protects them.
Congo Basin Peatlands
- The Congo Basin peatlands are vital for humanity's survival, acting as a massive carbon sink.
- These peatlands store 30 billion tons of carbon, preventing us from exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming.
Threats to Peatlands
- The Congo Basin peatlands are threatened by oil exploration, logging, and community reliance on them.
- Similar destruction has turned the Amazon and Indonesian swamps from carbon sinks to sources.
