The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) in partnership with Vostile Creatives Trust recently organized an Environmental Advocacy Training in Hwange.
The workshop held on the 2nd of November, was meant to give the Hwange community more voice and support for better environmental conservation in light of coal mining operations in the region.
Dubbed Hwange Environmental Advocacy Training workshop, the meeting brought together more than 30 participants from various locations in the district who are facing challenges due to coal mining.
The goal of the workshop was to provide the participants with knowledge on the impacts of coal mining and foster a network of passionate advocates committed to working collaboratively to promote a safe environment for all.
Discussions were held on advocacy strategies they can use specifically to address environmental issues related to coal mining.
The participants were also empowered to be formidable advocates for environmental conservation.
The detrimental repercussions of coal mining on society and the environment have for long plagued Hwange.
Coal mining has had several negative effects on the ecosystem and nearby communities, including air and water pollution, coal seam fires, and greenhouse gas emissions that have contributed to climate change.
Speaking during the workshop, Malven Daka, the director of Vostile Creatives Trust emphasized on the importance of communities taking the lead in the battle against irresponsible mining.
“In Hwange, coal mining has resulted in a number of issues that the community is unable to handle, prominent among them being pollution from coal dust. We don’t profit from mining; instead, we continue to foot the bill”.
“There have been unsuccessful attempts to get duty bearers involved in solving the problems. Because of this, the CNRG’s program in partnership with the Hwange community will significantly increase public awareness of pollution, with the community setting the example. The goal is to exert pressure on industry and the duty bearer to take appropriate measures to resolve the issue,” he said.
CNRG has in the past painstakingly emphasised that by highlighting the effects of dust pollution in Hwange and ensuring that their voices are heard, the community can push for better mining practices to lessen the environmental and social repercussions of coal mining.
During the workshop, climate justice campaigner Nkosi Sibanda urged the youth to join the struggle for environmental justice and responsible mining practices.
“In our push to end irresponsible mining, the youth also need to play their role as we fight for environmental justice. Adopting advocacy for climate change is one way to do this.
“We must push for a just transition to clean energy away from coal mining since it has caused more harm than benefit, including coal dust, air pollution, and coal seam fires, which are a problem in our small community,” said Sibanda.
Since 2015, CNRG has been steadily building a movement of communities demanding for environmental justice in communities affected by extractive industries.
CNRG has been capacitating communities in Hwange to exercise their rights in challenging illegal practices that destroy the environment.
The organisation has also been supporting powerful movements that are challenging exploitative and unjust natural resource extractive systems.