Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, addresses the climate crisis stemming from deforestation and rising temperatures. She has implemented initiatives like appointing Africa’s first chief heat officer, Eugenia Kargbo, and leading community reforestation efforts that have seen over 1.2 million trees planted. Aki-Sawyerr emphasizes the importance of cultural connections to the land in combatting climate challenges.
In the wake of Sierra Leone’s Ebola epidemic, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr recognized the severe impact of deforestation surrounding Freetown. Witnessing the devastation firsthand led her to sorrowfully observe, “I literally parked my car and wept.” The loss of rainforests disrupted natural drainage systems, culminating in a devastating mudslide in 2017 that resulted in over a thousand fatalities—underscoring the dire climate crisis exacerbated by climate change.
Despite the challenges of leading one of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations, Aki-Sawyerr, who became mayor in May 2018, remains steadfast. Her past advocacy against the blood diamond trade and her charity work during the civil conflict shaped her resilience. She articulates a hopeful perspective: “Things that aren’t right don’t need to stay that way.”
Having returned from a successful career in finance and property development in London, Aki-Sawyerr initiated significant programs such as appointing Africa’s first chief heat officer, Eugenia Kargbo. Kargbo focuses on enabling locals to cope with increasing temperatures through heat adaptation strategies, including constructing shaded canopies in marketplaces and utilizing heat-resistant materials in shelters. Kargbo emphasizes, “There’s so much more to do, but one of the major problems that we have is funding.”
City leaders have made noteworthy progress in forest restoration as part of the initiative “Freetown the Tree Town,” having planted over 1.2 million trees in five years—most of which continue to thrive. This reforestation effort not only provides shade but also strengthens the terrain against mudslides. Aki-Sawyerr draws on a cultural tradition where a newborn’s umbilical cord was buried with a tree, connecting individuals to their land.
With a profound belief in the importance of reconnecting future generations to such customs, she states, “There’s so many traditions that we have around trees that are lost. Just bringing that tradition back is something very powerful.” This perspective highlights the synergy between cultural identity and environmental stewardship.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is spearheading a passionate initiative to address climate change and deforestation in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Her leadership emphasizes the importance of restoring forests, adapting to increasing temperatures, and reclaiming cultural traditions tied to the land. With the support of community efforts, including the planting of over 1.2 million trees, Aki-Sawyerr’s vision provides hope for a sustainable future as Freetown navigates through climate vulnerabilities.
Original Source: www.nationalgeographic.com
