Participants from 15 countries present 48 papers at UoN symposium

3rd Climate Change Adaptation Symposium held from 23-24th Jan 2020 at University of Nairobi

Exchanging ideas of successful climate change initiatives was one of the aim of the 3rd symposium on Climate change adaptation in Africa held at the University of Nairobi from 23rd-24thJanuary 2020.  

Already, the impact of climate change is being felt, not only in increased temperature, but also reduced crop yield, and incidences of diseases such as malaria.

Climate Information and Adaptation Frameworks, Climate Change Adaptation, Capacity and Gender, Climate Services, Interdisciplinary Approaches on Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change and Agriculture, Climate Change Management as well as Climate Change and Resilience Building were the main presentation categories.

Digitizing animal disease early warning systems formed part of the key note speech, where Rosemary Ngotho, emphasized the need to put in effort, money and all that is required to be able to make the pastoral environment better. Rosemary is a Phd student and staff at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.

On Climate Change Management, Pedros Muradas, from IDOM Spain, presented on mainstreaming climate resilience in Mozambican WASH sector while Dr. Daniel Nzengya, from St. Paul’s University, Kenya presented on barriers of adoption of improved cooking stoves for rural resilience and climate change adaptation and mitigation in Kenya.

Australia, Griffith’s University, Esther Achieng, discussed how increase of malaria risk in agricultural community has more women exposed to malaria due to gendered roles where women spend longer periods in  farms when mosquitoes are most active. Esther made her presentation under Climate Information and Adaptation Frameworks category.

The 3rd symposium on Climate change adaptation themed: Strengthening the Capacity of African countries to handle the challenges of a changing environment, attracted speakers from 15 countries to showcase work in climate change projects. The symposium also showcased implementation of climate change adaptation through case-study discussions.  

Delegates and speakers from Australia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, USA, Spain, Sweden, Botswana, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa,Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, from various research institutions, universities, NGOs and enterprises delved into the cross-sectoral interactions on climate change.

Three speakers kicked off the symposium with Prof. Izael Da Silva, Board Chairman of Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, giving a key note speech on: Opportunities in climate change adaptation- the case of agribusiness.

Rosemary Ngotho from Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization took delegates through her keynote titled: Handling challenges of a changing pastoral environment – the case of North Laikipia in Kenya.

The final key note speech was from Tino Johansson, University of Helsinki, Finland- Department of Geosciences and Geography, Griffith titled: Environmental Sensing and Earth Observation of Land Change and Ecosystem Services for Developing Climate Smart Landscape Framework to Improve Food Security in East Africa

Twenty-four universities participated during the symposium, with three enterprises from Spain, UK and Italy - IDOM, Plan International and TriM s.r.l respectively, forming part of the NGOs participating.

Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, National Construction Authority, National Museums of Kenya also participated in presentations.

Pedro Muradas IDOM presents during the 3rd symposium on Climate Change Adaption in Africa 24th Jan 2020Pedro Muradas IDOM presents during the 3rd symposium on Climate Change Adaption in Africa 24th Jan 2020

Delegates and speakers during the 3rd symposium on Climate Change Adaption in Africa 24th Jan 2020

Delegates and speakers listen during a presentation at the 3rd Symposium on Climate Change Adaption in Africa 23rd-24th Jan 2020

Group photo of delegates and speakers during the 3rd symposium on Climate Change Adaption in Africa 23rd Jan 2020

Group photo of delegates and speakers during the 3rd symposium on Climate Change Adaption in Africa