By Francis Chipalo
Environmentalist Nsama Kearns has called for budget swap between Defence and Environmental protection, saying Zambia is not at war for guns but for climate change.
And Kearns who is Care for Nature Zambia executive director has called for climate change conversations in homes, communities, work places and chiefdoms, adding that doing so would help in raising awareness.
Given the current drought situation in the country, Nsama advises that Finance Minister should flip the table and allocate the largest amount of funds to environmental protection in the 2025 national budget.
The environmentalist says Zambia not at war of guns, but is in climate change battle, hence the need to swap budgetary allocations with the Defence budget if the country is to achieve sustainable development goal number 13 which calls for taking urgent action to combating climate change and its impact.
Kearns says the drought situation has come with a lot of lessons for Zambia whose aspirations to become a prosperous middle – income country by 2030 is now under threat as key sectors, such as agriculture, energy, water and sanitation have been largely affected.
“As Zambia prepares for it’s nationally determined contribution, we need broad and wider consultation so that every citizen is involved and plays a role in the fight against climate change and its impacts,” said Kearns.
She adds that an investment in environmental protection cannot be compromised.
