DILI, 25 june 2021 (TATOLI) – Oxford Family Relief (OXFAM) considers climate change the main issue globally including in Timor-Leste and all parties must contribute to solving the challenges of climate change.
Climate change is the biggest issue facing on the planet. People, species, and our precious environment are all at risk.
OFXAM always focuses on new changes occurring on the earth and bringing the impact to people’s lives. As a social civic organization OXFAM
helps out with this issue that affects voiceless people’s lives. Thus, the OXFAM plays important roles in mitigating the effects of climate change through the Rai Matak Program funded by the European Union and Kotui funded by the government of New Zealand. Oxfam’s climate-related programs focuses on carbon sequestration through reforestation, disaster
ready programs focusing on rural farmers, women and other vulnerable groups.
Oxfam’s climate work is implemented jointly with Fundasaun Ho Musan Ida, Xpand, Fundasaun Rai Matak, Permatil, and other civil society organizations.
“Based on Oxfam observation, most of Timor-Leste’s forests lost their
potential in conserving the freshest atmosphere due to human behaviour which include illegal cutting down of trees, forest burning, and clearing for agriculture. All of these contribute to loss of forest and biodiversity. Through our innovative Rai Matak Program funded by the EU, Oxfam works to restore and preserve forests covers, mitigate soil degradation, restore bio- diversity while also capturing carbon from the atmosphere” The Country
Director of OXFAM, Fausto Belo Ximenes told TATOLI Agency, at Hudi Laran, Osindo III, this Friday.
Climate change happening because of human attitudes that are damaging human habitation. Human activities are releasing excessive amounts of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Deforestation through slash and burn agriculture, construction of development infrastructure, and housing among others is also contributing to climate change.
As a result, the globe is already one degree warmer on average and globally the climate change is mostly contributing from many sectors comprising transportation, using coal, oil and gas through the activities of electricity providing power, manufactory and industry.
“We comprehend that the biggest impact from climate change will be those who are already vulnerable people (those living in poverty, women, and farmers among others), and those living in small developing and island
countries such as Timor-Leste emit the least amount of the greenhouse gasses but will be impacted the most” said Belo Ximenes.
He added that reforestation is an effective way to remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, among other mechanism. Oxfam will continue to work with Government of Timor-Leste and its donors (the
European Union, Government of New Zealand and Government of Australia) to help communities in coping with the impact of climate change.
According to the OXFAM assessment for reforestation, an appropriate program will be implemented through the HAMATAK RAI program to grow all trees and conserve the rain florets and fresh atmosphere to reduce the climate change impact on the planet.
Related news:OXFAM-TL requests the government to invest more in productive sectors
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sá
Editor: Rafy Belo
