The Climate Emergency An RC Workshop for the Eastern Region of Nigeria
I was instantly excited when I was asked to organize the workshop “The Climate Emergency for the Eastern Region of Nigeria.” I am passionate about the topic—one that brings with it other contemporary issues.
The workshop was led by Janet Wambui Kabue [Area Reference for Nairobi, Kenya]. It was a huge success. Participants, especially the new members, had the chance to learn about the climate emergency.
Participants gained from the wealth of our minds, the ease of organization, and the resourcefulness of the leader, the organiser, the tech and interpretation teams. There was also frustration caused by a poor Internet connection that prevented several people from smooth and active participation. (Many people had sessions on that.)
Africa has many resources, which has made us a target for exploitation.
We are working to end the injustices involved in the climate emergency as we create awareness of the situation.
The following are comments from the participants:
- The workshop made me understand that we can’t talk about the climate emergency without talking about colonialism.
- I got to understand the link between the climate crisis and colonialism.
- Africa is very rich. That was and still is why we were and still are the targets of colonialism and neocolonialism.
- My highlight was the pictorials showing the effects of colonialism.
- We should always be ourselves. We should not change our looks, our colours, our tongues [languages], our dress, our food, and so on—just to be like the white men.
- The workshop was enjoyable, but we kept being thrown off and on the Internet.
- We should stop blaming ourselves—we are not the cause of the climate crisis.
- No action is too small in the war against the climate emergency. Planting just one tree is great.
- We should not keep quiet. Let us continue to talk and act—and reach out to individuals, schools, politicians, agencies, and organisations.
- Kudos to my fellow interpreters and to all the crew.
- Many thanks to all who organised the workshop. I cannot wait for the next one.
- We are getting there. With RC, life is good.
Enugu, Nigeria
(Present Time 204, July 2021)