I received these answers a while back – but haven’t gotten around to publishing them before now. Better late than never! Kajsa Johansson, who has previously been working with us here at Peace and Development studies but now is project coordinator for several projects in northern Mozambique for Swedish Cooperative Centre, has taken the time to shortly answer the questions about COP-15. If you want to read more about Kajsa her blog can be found here
1. Are you worried about climate change – and if yes, what do you do about it?
Yes I am very worried about it in general on a global level but also more specifically from a South perspective. In the global South, the land and other natural resources are the key capitals for their survival. The climate change puts at risk these resources and the possibility to use them as earlier, in a predictable way. The poorest people are, once again, the most vulnerable ones to these changes. To give one example about what we do about it, I can mention trainings of farmers to adapt their agricultural practices to the changing and more unsecure environment. We also ncentive tree planting (new trees) and for people to care for the already existing trees and avoid slash and burn as common practice. We use demonstration/experimental plots and study circles as means to improve knowledge on these issues.
2. What do you think will happen in Copenhagen?
For me it is difficult to be specific on this point but off course I hope for concrete decision in favor of the global south but I am not very hopeful bout it. I think it will be difficult to reach binding agreements, unfortunately.
3. Is there any issue regarding climate change that concerns you more than other issues, or that is closest to your heart?
I think my first answer describes my closest concern which relates to the livelihoods and actual survival of all those in the world living on small scale subsistence farming – totally dependent on natural resources and climate conditions.
4. As regards to global warming, what would you like to say to our Peace and Development students?
That it is important to be practical and put the “small person” in focus -both for the mitigation and the adaption. And also that it is important to see how different regions are affected differently and have a clear power perspective in all climate issues (and all other issues in the development studies…).
