Uganda is experiencing significant impacts of climate change, through increased frequency of extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves and drought. While there are some large scale mining and processing companies that are emitting significant amounts of solid and liquid waste, dust and greenhouse gases into the environment, the biggest polluter in Uganda’s mining sector remain the artisanal and small scale miners. Over 90% of mining activities in the country are attributed to artisanal and small-scale miners.
Their operations pollute fragile wetland ecosystems, deplete forest cover and erode riverbanks. Our work therefore focuses on creating awareness about the imminent threat caused by the miners and training them on safer and environmentally friendly mining techniques.
Beyond the mining sector, we are contributing towards building a climate conscious society through training and research, advocacy and engagement of the different stakeholders to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We promote the adoption and use of environmentally friendly renewable sources of energy such as geothermal technology, solar energy and hydrology, among others. Our focus is on young people and youth in Uganda whom we deliberately target with messages to ignite their climate consciousness, influence their behavioural and consumption habits and encourage them to be Climate Change Ambassadors.