A second office will be opened on 24 November in Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of Congo (2) and a third in Dakar, Senegal,
next year. These areas are central to tackling climate change,
deforestation and overfishing.
"While the environmental threats facing Africans are urgent and
critical, Africa is in a position to leapfrog dirty development and
become a leader in helping to avert catastrophic climate change and
protect the natural environment. We are here to help make that
happen," said Amadou Kanoute, Executive Director of Greenpeace
The launch comes just weeks ahead of the United Nations climate
change talks in Poznan, Poland (1-13 December) where agreements
will be made to set the world on a path to cut greenhouse gas
emissions and prevent human induced climate change.
While Africa contributes very little to global warming, the
region will be one of the hardest hit by its effects. Over 180
million people in sub-Saharan Africa could die as a result of
climate change by the end of the century (3). Unpredictable
rainfall, lower crop yields and dwindling resources are causing
mass migration, increased tension and conflict.
"South Africa needs to take a strong stand at the UN climate
talks for a deal that includes substantial funding from the
industrialised world for developing countries to adapt to and
mitigate the devastating effects of climate change. The South
African government should also support Central African countries by
backing moves to create a funding mechanism that makes protecting
tropical forests and the climate more economical than logging,"
Tropical forest destruction accounts for about 20 percent of
global greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change: South Africa, the 14th highest carbon
emitter in the world, must commit to measurable actions to reduce
its greenhouse gas emissions, including ending its dependence on
coal, without resorting to expansions in nuclear power. The
country, as with Africa as a whole, is in a position to harness
abundant renewable energy sources - solar, wind and biomass - and
take a lead in an African energy revolution. An energy revolution
that would not only help reduce climate changes but would bring
electricity to rural areas, which is crucial for rural development,
provide jobs and economic growth.
Protecting the rainforest: Industrial logging threatens
the Congo Basin rainforest and the 40 million people who depend on
it for their livelihoods. It plays a vital role in regulating the
global climate and is the fourth largest forest carbon reservoir in
the world. Yet if logging is allowed to continue at the projected
rate, the DRC risks losing 40 percent of its forest within 40
years. Greenpeace is calling for the adoption of an international
financing mechanism, Forests for Climate, that makes the Congo
Basin rainforest and others like it, more economically valuable
intact than as timber.
Defending the oceans: Off the coast of West Africa marine
life is being carried away by foreign trawlers: devastating local
communities and depriving them of critical nutrition; causing
poverty and food insecurity to increase. Illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing must stop. Greenpeace will work for sustainable
fishing and fish processing operations, managed and financed by
Africans, as well as increased monitoring and control. The area
needs a network of well enforced marine reserves.
"Tackling environmental problems in Africa is vital to ensuring
a future for its children and the world as a whole. While it is
most likely to be one of the hardest and quickest hit by the
effects of climate change, some of which can already be seen,
Africa is also a major part of the solution. Through harnessing its
renewable energy potential and protecing its tropical forests
Africa can lead the way in environmental development," said Gerd
Leipold, Executive Director, Greenpeace International.
Other contacts: Beth Herzfeld, Greenpeace International press officer
+27 (0)82 316 0535
Amadou Kanoute, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa
+27 (0)71 688 1270
For footage and sound clips, contact Maarten van Rouveroy:
+31 6461 97322 or email
For photographs contact Greenpeace International picture desk:
+1 206 300 6511 or email
Notes: (1) For full details about the work of Greenpeace Africa see its new website http://www.greenpeaceafrica.org also available in French at http://www.greenpeaceafrique.org
(2) Greenpeace Africa at a press conference being held at Constitution Hill, the Women's Jail Atrium Lekgotla, Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday 13 November 2008, 10.30-11.30 am.
(3) On 24 November, Greenpeace is bringing its ship the Arctic Sunrise up the Congo River into Matadi to draw attention to the destruction of the rainforest and what it means for the 40 million people who depend on it for their survival, as well as the role of tropical rainforest deforestation in driving climate change. Events focussing on the significance of the Congo Basin rainforest for slowing climate change will be held in in Kinshasha, Boma and Matadi, DRC.
(4) Christian Aid, The Climate of Poverty: Facts, fears and hopes, May 2006
(5) Greenpeace comprises 28 independent national/regional offices in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Americas, as well as a coordinating body, Greenpeace International. Greenpeace has no permanent allies or enemies. We promote open, informed debate about society's environmental choices. We pursue our goals through research, lobbying and quiet diplomacy, and by using high-profile, non-violent direct action. To maintain our independence, Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments or corporations but relies on contributions from individuals and foundations.