Climate Action
2020 Climate Action Awards
Individual Climate Action Award: Ms. Dinah Chenangat, West Pokot, Kenya
An Individual Award was given to Ms Dinah Chenangat of West Pokot, Kenya for her work with the Chepnyal Development Project, through the Daughters of Charity. Over a period of three years, Ms Chenangat visited thousands of women, helping to set up nurseries and plant trees. This had the double benefit of protecting the environment and providing income for the women. The participants have become advocates for climate change and encourage other people in their communities to plant seedlings and cultivate trees.
Dinah Chenangat (second from left), with a group of women she has supported through her work with the Chepnyal Development Project.
Photo: Daughters of Charity
Project-based Climate Action Award: Sustainable Management of Land and Forest Resource Project in Mzuzu, Malawi
The first of two Project Awards was given to the Sustainable Management of Land and Forest Resource Project in Mzuzu, Malawi, implemented by the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society. Serving 2,100 participants, this project addresses the effects of climate change and improves quality of life through income generating activities from both land and forest resources and restoring the health of ecosystems.
The Model Farming Training Centre educates community members in the sustainable management of land and forest resources, village-based Savings & Loan schemes, bee keeping programmes, and production of environmentally friendly cooking stoves. These stoves have been widely adopted in the communities, resulting in benefits for community members and the environment. One participant commented:
“I used to walk long distances to fetch firewood that could last for 2 days, now I am able to use the same quantities for a month.”
Project participants of the Sustainable Management of Land and Forest Resource Project in Mzuzu, Malawi, with environmentally friendly cookstoves.
Photo: St. Patrick's Missionary Society
Project-based Climate Action Award: The Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED), Kasungu, Malawi
The Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED), a project of the Irish Jesuits International in Kasungu, Malawi, was the recipient of the second Project Award. With over 2,000 participants, the mission of this project (and the JCED) is to establish a society where local communities promote environmental integrity and where vulnerable, marginalised households and disadvantaged communities have decent livelihoods. The project encourages the management of natural resources to enhance agricultural productivity while reducing environmental degradation. In particular, this project targets vulnerable women, including widows and others parenting alone, and young people.
This project also has an energy-efficient cookstove component, plus an organic/permaculture vegetable production initiative. This trains young and single mothers in organic and permaculture vegetable and gardening skills, including the production and use of compost manure. The project also promotes conservation farming and reforestation with fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing trees.
Energy-efficient, clean cook stoves being used in Chimbalo Village.
Photo: Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development