Environmental research

Climate change is becoming a greater issue globally, and Lesotho is one of the most vulnerable countries to changes in the climate due to its topography and economic status. Particularly the increased frequency of severe storms is eroding soils and washing away crops, making food insecurity and increasingly problematic issue. Until now, for the majority of the population, the term climate change is just that, a term without a lot of understanding. This project aims to begin to educate young people, and teachers about the issues surrounding climate change, its causes, effects and mitigation. Young people are the stewards of the future, and as such, it is vital to educate them now, so they are able to look at their future, empowered to live positive, environmentally sustainable lives. It is also vital to not only educate young people on the theory of climate change, but also to introduce them to mitigation activities to enable them to take action, and reduce the vulnerability of themselves and their communities. The project proposes to use the bottom-up, participatory method of implementation, working in partnership with beneficiaries to encourage ownership of the project and long-term project sustainability. This project intends to reach out to youth of primary schools in Maseru through starting environment clubs in 12 participating schools. Two teachers from each school will be appointed to work with the project, and will receive regular training through quarterly teacher workshops to provide them with the knowledge and support necessary to confidently teach about climate change and mitigation. The learners in the environment clubs will be taught about climate change, and also be prepared with skills necessary to disseminate the information to their peers. They will be introduced to a variety of mitigation activities, including planting trees as carbon sinks.

Lesotho