During the engagement, Mr. Karamo Keita commended the Commission for conducting the study, highlighting the impact of climate change on the education sector. He also expressed concern over reports of schoolchildren collapsing in schools, raising questions about the possible effects of chemical fertilisers and pesticides used in crop production.
Keita called for greater recognition and integration of indigenous knowledge into efforts to address environmental and climate-related challenges.
He further highlighted the link between climate change and migration, including rural-to-urban movements and irregular migration. He recommended a separate study to examine the relationship between climate change and migration more closely.
For his part, Mr. Baboucarr Nyang praised the NHRC for undertaking the study and stressed the importance of ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, particularly the Government, receive copies of the report.
Nyang also raised concerns about proposals to establish power plants on land designated for farming. He noted that community members who oppose such developments are often labelled as anti-development, despite their concerns about protecting agricultural land and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ansumana Ceesay urged stakeholders to work closely with the NHRC to address the impacts of climate change. He also called on the Commission to promote climate literacy and advocate for the development and enforcement of appropriate climate-related laws to strengthen environmental protection and accountability.
Climate justice advocate Mr. Baboucarr Baldeh emphasised the need to place climate justice at the centre of discussions on climate change. He argued that although The Gambia contributes very little to global pollution, the country continues to bear the consequences.
Baldeh called for greater attention to fairness and accountability in addressing the climate crisis, stressing that vulnerable countries such as The Gambia should not be left to shoulder the burden disproportionately.
โWithout justice, life will be difficult,โ he said.
The engagement highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, civil society, communities and other stakeholders in promoting human rights-based approaches to climate change and strengthening environmental protection in The Gambia.
