African Climes

Transport contributes a huge share of greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for climate change. Transport constitutes 14 % of emissions on its own, and 23% of emissions from the energy sector. Globally, energy is the source of two thirds of all emissions. As it is currently, 95% of transport is propelled by fossil fuels mainly coal and oil. The transport sector is broad, and touches on several sustainable goals namely affordable and clean energy which is goal 7, goal 9 which is industry, innovation and infrastructure, goal 11 which is sustainable cities and communities and goal 13 which is climate action. Cheap and reliable transport is also a crucial part of economic growth, covered by goal 8. Transport can be broadly categorized into four namely shipping, aviation, rail and vehicles. Let us start with ships. Most of the world’s trade is done through sea, about 80% of global trade is through ships. Shipping as an industry is responsible for 3% of global emissions and...

Soils are a crucial part of climate action. They are the biggest natural sinks, second to oceans and bigger than forests. They form part of the carbon cycle. Therefore, good soil management is part of climate action. Soils carry a reserve of carbon that is 2500 gigatons, more than what is in the air or stored by green plants. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the first 30 centimeters of soil holds double the quantity of carbon dioxide in the air. Additionally, a third of the world’s soils are degraded soils. Although all soil stores carbon, the specificity of soil type controls the amount that can be stored. Clayey soils, rich in aluminium and iron, locks in more carbon because they offer a larger surface area. Soils of volcanic origin also contain higher carbon content. Permafrost is the frozen soil beneath the ground. Permafrost means permanently frozen (frost) soil. Such soil types are usually frozen from beginning of the year to its end, no matter the season...