AWF is designing climate change adaptation strategies, preventing deforestation, and integrating carbon, biodiversity, and livelihood targets.

Meet AWF Climate Change Advisor Isabella Masinde

AWF Climate Change Advisor Isabella Masinde advises AWF senior management on all aspects of climate change and is currently leading climate change pilot projects in the Virunga, Samburu, and Kilimanjaro Heartlands. A noted ecologist and climate change expert, Isabella participated in discussions on climate change adaptation on behalf of the Kenyan Delegation to global climate change talks in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Why is climate change such an urgent issue?

Climate change is altering natural systems at an increasing rate, especially in Africa. For example, the snow caps of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya have melted by an estimated 90 percent of the original glaciers. Species such as the mountain gorilla which live in high altitude areas and which have a restricted range within which they can find food are climbing higher. Elephants are adjusting their movement patterns around changing water and food supplies. Adaptation to climate change requires a long period for the whole system to adjust. In this regard, we expect to witness massive extinction rates of many species and even food crops that will no longer be able to survive under high temperatures. Conflicts between people and wildlife will increase as either the wildlife or the people encroach on each other’s territory in search of water, food, and land. By supporting climate change initiatives in the Heartlands, AWF supporters have a chance to mitigate these effects.

A lot of climate change work centers on adaptation. Can you explain what that means?

Adapting to climate change entails taking the right measures to reduce the negative effects of climate change (and exploit any positive ones) by making the appropriate adjustments and changes. There are many options and opportunities to adapt. These range from reducing water use in times of drought or re-locating livestock to reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems. Other strategies include early warning systems for extreme events, better water management, improved risk management, various insurance options and diversifying the use of traditional drought-resistant plant species.

How is AWF poised to help people living in and around the Heartlands adjust to climate change?

AWF’s large-landscape approach takes into consideration community participation, traditional coping mechanisms and traditional knowledge of early warning systems—all essential elements in adaptation. The landscape approach itself provides enormous opportunities to allow for adjustment within the ecosystem. Emphasis is put on keeping the natural systems as healthy as possible so they are more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Can you give you give us a brief overview of a few AWF Climate Change initiatives under way?

In the Virunga Heartland AWF is assessing the possible impact of climate change on mountain gorillas and their habitats, and through the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP--a coalition of AWF, Fauna and Flora International, and the World Wide Fund for Nature) is working with local stakeholders to develop an adaptation framework to guide future conservation interventions. AWF is also exploring the possibility of initiating carbon easement projects in all the Heartlands and is scoping projects that will reimburse communities for maintaining forests and other natural resources to store carbon. In selected Heartlands we are undertaking GIS mapping initiatives to create baseline measures and monitor climate change.

What is your hope when it comes to international policy and climate change over the coming year?

Two things come to mind. First, the global community must move to greatly reduce carbon emissions, or temperatures in Africa will rise to levels where climate change impacts will be disastrous and adaptation costs unbearable. Mitigation actions by developed countries will greatly enhance the scope for successful adaptation actions that Africa can take. Second, climate change is still not understood by many people. There is a need to provide support in the area of capacity building so that more people can learn, through demonstration and pilot-testing, about initiatives that work for the poor.