Skip to main content
International Partnerships

Eco-villages in Tanzania - A fight against climate change

Tanzania's economy is very dependent on sectors affected by climate variability and change.

It is estimated that climate change will lead to large future additional economic costs ranging between 1% to 2% of GDP per year by 2030.

foto_2.jpg

Strengthening capacities to cope with climate change impacts remains a priority, particularly in highly vulnerable sectors of critical importance such as agriculture.

The European Union Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) initiative is helping the world's most vulnerable countries to address climate change. Eco-Act project (Ecovillage Adaptation to Climate Change in Central Tanzania) is one of the 51 GCCA+ projects in Africa and is composed of five ecovillage projects situated in different agro-ecological zones in Tanzania. The project aims at building resilience against climate change and reducing poverty. Activities range from training farmers in how to conserve water and prevent soil erosion, using bio-fertilisation, crop rotation, intercropping, using energy saving stoves, and enforcing by-laws to conserve water sources, among others.

foto_3.jpg

James Maligana is a farmer dealing with the reality of climate change in Tanzania. Desertification is one of the most damaging of climate change impacts, destroying livelihoods and habitats.

“The first thing is to have good seeds”, says James. In his area nearly 3000 households have been given drought tolerant seeds and are trained in climate smart agriculture methods to combat dry conditions.

foto_4.jpg

In the context of environmental impact, students are taught how to regenerate tree stumps and collect water in trenches.

Hawa Paulo Mkwachu, a student at Mugu Primary School explains that she will use the education on climate change adaptation when she grows up, to preserve water trenches prevent soil erosion and to grow trees.

Knowledge will remain key factor in minimising the effect on the environment!

Related links