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<\/a><\/p>\nRebecca Quaicoe<\/p>\n
8 December 2011<\/p>\n
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The Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the drought-ravaged Sahalian was severely threatened by climate change — ever day.<\/p>\n
Thirty percent of the population lived close to the sea, which was being eroded by high seas.<\/p>\n
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Amedi Camara told COP17 Mauritania came to Durban seeking protection from a disaster not of their making.<\/p>\n
Mauritania’s soil was suffering degradation and loss of vegetation due to flooding.<\/p>\n
Energy was in short supply and the sea polluted.<\/p>\n
Climate change threatened the economy and very existence of the people of Mauritania.<\/p>\n
Camara called for immediate measures to be put in place by COP17.<\/p>\n
The government had already put in place special programmes to protect its capital city from erosion and desertification. It planted over a 1000 trees.<\/p>\n
But Mauritania, like other developing countries, needed the developed world to support the implementation of their national plan of action.<\/p>\n
Multi-sectorial measures in operation in the energy and transport sectors and other areas of the economy required funding.<\/p>\n
It was vital that the Green Climate Fund was put in motion to assist developing nations like Mauritania.<\/p>\n
People of Mauritania had shown confidence towards the Copenhagen conference, and COP17 should aim to regain it.<\/p>\n
Industrialised nations had to sign up for second round of the Koyoto Protocol.<\/p>\n
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