UNICEF Youth Advocate Monzir Mohammed is from Sudan¡¯s Blue Nile region, which borders Ethiopia and South Sudan. The region has been by climate change and is considered one of the most rapidly warming areas in Sudan.
¡°My message to the whole world is to keep peace with each other in order to protect the planet from danger in the coming years, and to be protected from environmental pollution and from natural disasters that may occur in the future,¡± says Monzir, who lives in the capital of Blue Nile, Damazin.
Climate change has worsened the frequency and intensity of disasters such as heatwaves, droughts and floods, and led to water scarcity and environmental degradation in the Blue Nile. The region¡¯s air temperatures have increased by 1¡ãC every year since the 1970s.
Rainfall has declined over the last thirty years and has become more erratic. Groundwater - which provides drinking water and supports sanitation systems, farming, industry and ecosystems - is being depleted in many parts of the region.
This year alone, have affected nearly 350,000 people, destroying and damaging an estimated 50,000 homes in 16 out of the 18 states across Sudan. The disasters are compounding the country¡¯s socio-economic problems.
¡°Africa is threatened by the climate and the environment in terms of floods, desertification, food security and other issues, so there should be meetings and conferences in those countries so that people think about solving problems before they happen,¡± says Monzir.
This year, the UN Climate Change Conference will be held in Egypt - the fourth African country to host the world¡¯s largest annual gathering on climate action. The conference will seek to deliver solutions on an array of issues from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to helping countries like Sudan build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change, and financing climate action.
"My message to decision-makers is to provide financial and technical support, and support projects that run on renewable energy to preserve the climate and the environment,¡± says Monzir, who believes in the power of innovation and renewable energy, and the empowerment of young people, especially in climate-vulnerable communities.
In 2019, Monzir and his friends formed a group called and built Sudan¡¯s first solar-powered car - entirely from local materials. They needed a reliable way to help children and young people get to schools - because it took about an hour for Monzir and other students to walk to school everyday. They were determined to find a meaningful way to protect the environment from climate change and pollution.
"The reasons for forming this¡ are problems that we face in society, problems in the environment and climate, as we face a fuel crisis in our society, which caused us many problems. We were facing difficulties in getting to school, for instance, so we thought of inventing a solar-powered car,¡± he added.
Countries like Sudan have for renewable energy - with access to abundant hydropower, high wind speed and solar radiation. Renewable energy is a key solution to the development challenges facing Sudan, where of the population lacks access to electricity.
Future Generations is also committed to empower young people to create positive change in their communities. Today, the car they built has been registered and helps people get to places like schools and hospitals for essential services. Monzir wants to eventually create a space for innovation where young people will be inspired and can find resources to create environmentally-friendly products.
¡°My message to the youth in Sudan is to support renewable energy, especially solar energy, and to think of solar-powered projects to preserve the climate,¡± says Monzir.
