The caravan is designed to enable environmental activists to inform people on how everyone is affected by climate change. During the tour, the team met various stakeholders and indigenous groups across the country to explain and hear first-hand information regarding climate change, most importantly its impacts.
YVE collaborated with The Gambia Environmental Alliance during the caravan with funding from Oxfam International in collaboration with The Gambia Government, and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance National Platform.
The Banjul Climate Caravan also seeks to organise mass mobilisation of citizens, key stakeholders and local communities across the country to demonstrate solidarity between the climate and development movement.
Amadou John, National Coordinator of the West African Birds Study Association (WABSA), who doubles as the vice chairman for the Banjul Youth Committee, said one of the effects of climate change is coastal erosion and destruction of mangroves as seen in the past few years in Banjul.
He added that they have been battling with the consequences of climate issues and it has to be addressed.
In their social activities, Mr. John said they are planning to address climate change and sensitise the community on how to mitigate climate issues, their effects, and their expectations about climate issues.
John further appealed to the government to support them, especially climate activists, further recommending to those who would be participating in the forthcoming COP27 to be held in Egypt, to have a monitoring mechanism and to go back to their respective organisations to work towards achieving the goals of tackling climate and environmental issues.
The Banjul Climate Caravan ahead of COP27 has a mission to support national advocacy efforts to influence strategic national climate targets on positions regarding adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, energy, technology, and climate finance to meet the expectations of communities affected by the climate crisis.
