Africa’s ecosystems are increasingly at risk from climate change. Some 20% of Africa’s land surface is estimated to be degraded because of soil erosion, salinization, pollution, and loss of vegetation or soil fertility. This is a result of factors including deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, overgrazing, uncontrolled mining activities, invasive alien species, and, increasingly, climate change.
Simultaneously, plastic waste continues to be a major challenge in the region. It not managed well, it contributes to environmental pollution impacting livelihoods and public health.
Urgent action is needed to tackle these challenges and the World Bank Group is ramping up its support to help countries shape a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan, which complements the Africa Climate Business Plan, commits that over the next five years, 35 percent of World Bank Group financing will directly contribute to climate action. Because without rapid deployment of inclusive, climate-informed development throughout the region, 43 million more people could be pushed below the poverty line by 2030.
The Challenge: Tell Us Your Story and Ideas
The World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region is launching a climate change video/photo competition, "Plant Trees, Not Plastics." If you are between 18 and 35 years old and a resident of one of the eligible countries (see below), we invite you to tell us a story in a 1-minute video, OR in a photo or series of photos (three photos maximum) with text detailing innovative actions you or members of your community are taking toward addressing the impacts of plastic waste in your community.
Eligible countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sao Tome & Principe, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe