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Students
Tanzania field school cements future in community-driven climate action
When Abby Nyamu, an SFU environmental science student from Kenya, heard about SFU鈥檚 inaugural field school in Arusha, Tanzania, she knew she couldn't pass up the chance to go.
鈥淚鈥檓 big on learning about the African climate crisis,鈥� says Abby. 鈥淟earning about climate change and resilience in an African setting and getting to apply the knowledge I've acquired while studying in Canada is truly a one of kind opportunity.鈥�
Having previously completed a research project on receding glaciers on Mt. Kilimanjaro for a class project, she was acutely aware of the visible impacts of climate change in the area. When it came time to decide on an inquiry project, she decided to team up with a couple of classmates to better understand the bio-cultural effects of climate change in Tanzania and how Indigenous communities are adapting to the climate crisis.
Abby explains that the project was largely inspired by the Maasai people and their relationships with the environment, their community and their pasture. 鈥淓ngaging with the Maasai led us to be part of their daily lives, sharing stories, collaborating and discussing sustainable initiatives, and understanding the connection between culture and climate challenges,鈥� says Abby.
After spending a couple weeks in the field, students saw first-hand how the climate crisis is impacting the Maasai. Key examples of this were the negative health and education effects as high-quality pasture and livestock becomes harder to maintain under changing climates. However, the group also witnessed how resilient the Maasai are, adapting their practices to improve the quantity of viable pasture for their cattle and leaning into their community to develop solutions.
The group then shared what they learned in a presentation to SFU President Joy Johnson and other members of SFU leadership who were in Arusha for the official launch of Aga Khan University鈥檚 Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU-ACER) 鈥� where the program took place.
The field school proved to be an extremely influential experience, Abby shares. "It has solidified my commitment to pursuing a career focused on sustainable and community-driven solutions."
Specifically, Abby explains that the program being run at AKU鈥檚 Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre opened her eyes to opportunities to pursue climate change research in East Africa. 鈥淚t's amazing to see progress and initiatives being made in combating climate change with a fresh perspective on community engagement and Indigenous voices.鈥�
Interested in participating in an international field school? Learn more here.