Former U.S. VP Al Gore Leads the Climate Reality Leadership Training Event in Accra, Ghana
Former US Vice President Al Gore, hosted the 54th Climate Reality Leadership Training program in Accra, Ghana from November 13–15, 2023. It was part of the project’s series of global programs training people around the world on the realities and possible solutions to climate change. “As one of the regions most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, West Africa holds tremendous potential to reshape its future through climate action and emerge as a leader of the emergent Sustainability Revolution in Africa,” said Vice President Gore.
In a compelling two-hour presentation at the West Africa Climate Reality Leadership Training event, former US Vice President Al Gore brought attention to the urgent need for global action on climate change. The event, organized by The Climate Reality Project and featuring Phyllis Cuttino, President, and CEO of the organization, shed light on Africa’s unique challenges and the critical role it plays in combating the climate crisis.
Phyllis Cuttino highlighted a stark reality — Africa contributes less than 3% of global carbon emissions, yet it bears a disproportionate burden of the effects of climate change. With 600 million people lacking access to electricity, the region faces unique challenges in achieving sustainable development. Despite these obstacles, Ghana is making strides toward 100% access to electricity by 2030.
There is a big disparity in clean energy jobs. While there are 12 million clean energy jobs worldwide, only 300,000 of these jobs are in Africa. The continent, home to 60% of the world’s premier solar energy resource, currently utilizes only 1% of solar energy. The Climate Reality Project, launched in 2006, aims to address these disparities and catalyze global solutions to the climate crisis.
The organization has trained nearly 50,000 Climate Reality leaders globally, with 2000 leaders based in Africa. The overarching goals include reducing global gas emissions, building a clean energy future, financing a just transition, calling out misinformation, and strengthening international cooperation.
Al Gore’s keynote address delved into the alarming reality of climate change. He highlighted the human impact, citing the equivalent of 750,000 Hiroshima-class atomic bombs of energy trapped by man-made global warming pollution every day. The data revealed that 21 of the 22 hottest years on record occurred since the year 2000.
His presentation explored regional climate trends, noting Ghana’s warmest October on record and the increasing frequency of dangerously high temperatures. Al Gore warned that by 2050, these extreme heat conditions could become more prevalent, with devastating consequences for communities across West Africa.
The link between climate change, deforestation, and extreme weather events was emphasized. Disasters, such as floods and storms, displaced hundreds of thousands in countries like Somalia, Ghana, Libya, Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. West Africa’s deadly storms were found to be 80 times more likely due to human-caused climate change.
Impacts on Sea Levels and Food Security
Al Gore highlighted the vulnerability of West Africa to rising sea levels, affecting 117 million people by 2030. The global food system’s inequalities were exposed, with North and South America experiencing surpluses while Africa faced deficits, risking a multi-bread basket failure.
Health and Environmental Consequences
Burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution, causing severe health issues. Alarming statistics revealed that 8.7 million people die annually due to air pollution. In Ghana, air pollution is projected to quadruple by 2050, posing significant risks to the population.
Al Gore stressed the urgency of taking action to combat climate change. He discussed the economic and environmental costs of the climate crisis, emphasizing the need for increased climate finance in Africa and the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
The West Africa Climate Reality Leadership Training event provided a sobering look at the challenges and opportunities in the region’s fight against climate change. The call to action is clear — a collective effort is required to address the disparities, implement sustainable solutions, and mitigate the severe consequences of the climate crisis.
