Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown, is addressing climate challenges following significant deforestation and the 2017 mudslide tragedy. She has implemented initiatives such as appointing Africa’s first chief heat officer and launching a successful tree-planting project. Aki-Sawyerr emphasizes the importance of cultural traditions tied to the environment and remains optimistic about adapting to climate impacts despite financial limitations.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, recognized the alarming deforestation surrounding the capital a decade ago, triggering her commitment to environmental change. After observing the degradation of the rainforest, she expressed her grief, stating, “I literally parked my car and wept.” This deforestation weakened the region’s drainage systems, leading to devastating mudslides in 2017 that resulted in over a thousand fatalities, illustrating the severe implications of climate change.
Since being sworn in as mayor in May 2018, Aki-Sawyerr has had to confront the daunting reality of leading one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. With limited financial resources, adapting to climate impacts exacerbated by wealthy nations’ fossil fuel emissions poses significant challenges. However, she remains hopeful, stating, “Things that aren’t right don’t need to stay that way.”
Aki-Sawyerr, who previously worked in finance and property development in London, took charge of the national Ebola response before her mayoralty. A notable initiative during her tenure includes appointing Africa’s first chief heat officer, Eugenia Kargbo, tasked with addressing extreme temperatures in Freetown. Kargbo has implemented shading canopies for local market vendors and is researching heat-resistant materials for shelters, emphasizing the necessity for funding in these endeavors.
Despite financial setbacks, progress has been made in restoring Freetown’s forests. Community efforts have successfully planted over 1.2 million trees in the Freetown the Tree Town project, with an impressive survival rate of 82%. These trees provide vital ecological benefits, including shade and erosion prevention, vital for reducing mudslide risks.
Aki-Sawyerr also cherishes cultural traditions connected to nature, citing the ritual of burying a newborn’s umbilical cord with a newly planted tree, linking individuals to the land. With a desire to revive these customs, she states, “There are so many traditions that we have around trees that are lost.” Aki-Sawyerr envisions a renewal of these powerful traditions for future generations.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s leadership in Freetown highlights the urgent need to combat the climate emergency through community engagement and cultural revival. Despite significant challenges, her initiatives, such as appointing a chief heat officer and enhancing reforestation efforts, seek to adapt the city to the climate crisis. Aki-Sawyerr’s conviction in the power of tradition and community transformation underscores a hopeful path forward for Freetown and its residents.
Original Source: www.nationalgeographic.com
