'It's Already Happening': Ugandan Activist Vanessa Nakate on Deadly Climate Crisis in Africa

As heat waves scorch much of the globe, we look at who bears the brunt of the climate emergency and go to Kampala, Uganda, to speak with climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate. "The climate crisis has been here. It has been impacting the lives of so many people on the African continent, which is responsible for less than 4% of the global emissions," says Nakate. "Media has a huge responsibility to cover the climate crisis, but it has a much bigger responsibility to cover the climate crisis in the places where people are already suffering some of the worst impacts." This comes as a new study finds U.S. greenhouse emissions have caused nearly $2 trillion in damages to other, mostly poor, countries.

#DemocracyNow

[lewa]

Vanessa Nakate needs to be boosted and her message spread to every platform!

[jaytree]

This young woman's voice and heart should be shared everywhere.🤗🤗💯💯

[wildlightarts]

"We are in one room, in one building, crumbling down, " incredibly powerfully metaphor. Such wisdom and brilliance. I have hope with the younger generations, in looking out for the next seven generations. Yes, we are one planet. Borders are a human illusion, when it comes to the fact that reality happens on a planetary scale, in terms of climate change and otherwise.

[adinahaun]

Our government doesn’t care much about climate impact here, so not surprising they care even less about Africa. A tragedy for humans and all life everywhere!

[jennyomalley]

I lived for some of the best years in my life in Central Africa, when I hear people talk about Fair-play and god, well I'm lost for words. My heart goes out to you Vanessa, for what it's worth.

[norikadolmy]

Ever since the Europe heat wave coverage began this week I have been asking myself where is the climate perspective from Africa? They showed a heat map, and north Africa was showing up as black aka the hottest temperatures recorded on the map. But the focus of course is on rich white Europeans who are equipped to deal with the crisis, instead of people in North Africa. Gee, I wonder why that is?

[Marxist]

This topic should be constantly reported on corporate mainstream media. People in the U.S. have to wake up to climate change & start fighting it.

[arnoldseals]

GOD BLESS !, THIS YOUNG WOMAN "VANESSA MAKATI" TRYING TOO SAVE THE WORLD !

[stacifry]

Uganda discovered Trillions in gold recently. Uganda is having a "humanitarian crisis" as well. I'm sure the US government will be bringing democracy to them shortly.

[thekingsdaughter]

Those who should care, don't, those who can act won't. A shame indeed.

[yurielcundangan]

Gotta love AMy. She's got guts. Its nice to see someone stick to their own values

[wildlightarts]

It has been happening for decades. See Nigeria and sHell oil. RIP Ken Saro Wiwa. Horrifying how many are still so asleep and have no idea how they get around is killing so many and is only escalating in everyday reality. Heart breaking, in the name of convenience for some, and death to others. The first world is essentially eating the rest of the world alive, metaphorically, and literally in terms of resource usage and pollution.

[ryanburchett]

If this doesn't break your heart, I don't know what could. This is so sad. So many people are suffering, and it seems like we can't do anything about it.

[judithcampbell]

The young lady is correct 100 percent. Thank you Miss. I will share this!!

[Ianpact]

Thank you, Vanessa Nakate, Amy, Nermeen, and DN! crew.

[zinjanthropus]

We did that to ourselves. In Uganda, most of the wetlands have been reclaimed for construction or agriculture and a lot of the forests including in the area she mentioned in karamoja have been cut down and burned for local charcoal consumption.

[TheSGStandard]

Vanessa is a voice of generation. Needs to be heard, and believed.

[mikeharvey]

I’ve read her book she’s amazing. Barb

[jahsaad]

Good job miss venessa...wow.what a great mind n comments

[therealpillventage]

It will be amazing for the most high to fix the world and put everything where it's supposed to be