Urban Leadership for African Sustainability (ULAS): Wetlands and Urbanization

Transcription

1 Urban Leadership for African Sustainability (ULAS): Wetlands and Urbanization RamsarConvention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) RamsarCOP11 Wetlands, Tourism, and Recreation African Regional Preparatory Meeting Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 3-8 October 2011

2 Our Common 21st Century Issues They are On an unprecedented scale Essentially interconnected In a process of rapid and dynamic change Systemic and non-linear Truly global and demanding cooperation High risk, demanding urgent action

3 Global Trend: Ecological Footprint Source: Global Footprint Network, Wackernagel, Peak Everything (2009)

4 Demographic Trends

5 We are part of a revolution 19th century: Industrial Revolution 20th century: Technological Revolution 21th century: Urban Revolution We are becoming a planet of cities.

6 The 100:1 challenge By 2050, within 40 years, we will have to build once more the same urban capacity as we have built over the last 4000 years. 3.5 bn urban dwellers +3.0 bn urban dwellers 2000bC

7 Urbanisation Urbanization - an unbroken, unbreakable trend Urbanization - a positive trend Urbanization - a global trend Urban regions - where the future of economy lies Photo credit:

8 Risk and Response A failed city can mean a failed country. A vibrant, resilient city can stabilize a country. We operate in a global city-system : uncoordinated national responses will not suffice. We need a global strategy on urbanization. We need national ministers for cities. Kat

9 The quest for sustainability will be increasingly won or lost in our urban areas. With foresight, political will and intelligent planning, cities can be the blueprint and map to a sustainable future. Achim Steiner Under-Secretary General, United Nations Executive Director, UNEP

10 Urban Leadership Challenges Population growth Urbanization Global Warming Water Soil Food Mineral resources Health! Housing Greenspace Jobs Water, Sanitation Energy Transport Childcare Healthcare

11 In 2010, the African continent was host to 47 cities with populations in excess of one million. UNHABITAT & UNEP. The State of African Cities Report (2010) Jonathan Ernst, World Bank.

12 Fastest Growing Cities Africa has 15 of the world s 50 fastest growing cities: 6 Bamako, Mali 7 Lagos, Nigeria 9 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 12 Lubumbashi, Congo 13 Kampala, Uganda 15 Luanda, Angola 17 Kinshasa, Congo 18 Nairobi, Kenya 20 Antananarivo, Madagascar 23 Conakry, Guinea 25 Maputo, Mozambique 26 Mogadishu, Somalia 31 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 35 Brazzaville, Congo 44 Dakar, Senegal

13 The population of African cities is set to triple over the next 40 years, and by 2050, 60% of Africans will be living in cities. Source: UNHABITAT & UNEP. The State of African Cities Report (2010) Georgina Popplewell

14 Maxims: African Cities Assume Responsibilty Think globally, act locally - reduce ecological footprint - Climate protection - Biodiversity protection Think locally, act globally - cooperate internationally (city networks) - join global projects - advocate towards UN and multilateral agreements

15 The resilience of many ecosystems is likely to be exceeded this century by an unprecedented combination of climate change, associated disturbances (e.g. flooding, drought, wildfire, insects, ocean acidification) and other global change drivers (e.g. land use change, pollution, fragmentation of natural systems, overexploitation of resources). IPPC. 4 th Assessment Synthesis Report. (2007) Kate Berrisford

16 Wetlands in Africa

17 Wetlands: Building Resilience in Africa improved surveillance of climate-sensitive Control of invasive alien species disease and control storm surge barriers Tourism Green infrastructure Water storage and provision Floodwater retention improved land management, e.g. erosion control and soil protection through tree planting CO 2 Sequestration and storage Financial savings Advocacy Mediate effects of drought and fire Ecosystem service approach to spatial planning Government policies, strategies, incentives

18 Only 26 out of 53 African countries are on track to meet the MDG for water to half by 2015 the proportion of their citizens without access to improved water. It is reliable estimated that in view of increasing population growth and the spiralling cycles of poverty, new models must be developed if the MDG targets are to be met by These estimates show that continental coverage needs to increase from 64% in 2006 to 78% by that date. UNEP. (2010). Africa Water Atlas. Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA). United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya. Kate Berrisford

19 Security implications Biodiversity Education Spatial and town planning Disaster risk management Wetlands and Local Governments: Interconnectivity Housing Energy resources Communication linkages Tourism Waste management Food security Stormwater management Coastal zones Economic stability Transport Resource scarcity conflicts Livelihoods Water availability Health Migration Policy and strategy planning Poverty reduction challenges

20 Barriers to Building Resilience Social/cultural barriers rigidity in land-use practices, social conflicts Financial/market barriers uncertain pricing, availability of capital, lack of credit Technological barriers existence, access to Sustainability Institutional/legal barriers weak institutional structure, institutional instability Informational/educational barriers lack of education and trained personnel

21 Urban Leadership for African Sustainability High-level platform Connecting leaders for urban sustainability: - Mayors - Business - Knowledge, Science & Research - Civil society

22 Urban Leadership for African Sustainability Facilitating exchange, sharing good practice Informing policy processes Developing innovative approaches

23 To Summarize... We must act more rapidly and take more radical solutions. (ICLEI Council, Edmonton, 2009) Appeal to All: We don t have time to lose. Good solutions are not sufficient. We need radical approaches and their rapid implementation. We need urban leadership for sustainability.

24 Thank you! Lucinda Fairhurst Manager: Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction