The Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) held a climate change training on 20 June 2023 at its main campus in Blantyre, aimed at equipping students, academia, and industry members with essential knowledge to address the global climate crisis.

A senior lecturer in Health and Behavior Change Communication at MUBAS, who is also an expert in environmental science, Dr. Flemmings Ngwira, was among the key presenters, delivering in-depth presentations on various critical topics. 

The training covered causes, impacts, adaptation strategies, climate financing and economic implications, and policy measures necessary to build resilient communities in Malawi and beyond.

Ngwira emphasized on how human activities have accelerated global warming, leading to shifts in weather patterns. He also introduced adaptation strategies such as improved water management, resilient crop varieties, and community-based resource management. 

“By strengthening resilience, communities can better withstand climate stresses, protecting livelihoods and ensuring food security even in changing environmental conditions,” he explained.

In his presentation, he pointed out that funding remains a significant challenge in addressing climate change. Ngwira explained the concept of climate financing, which involves allocating resources from international, national, and local sources to support adaptation and mitigation projects. He discussed Malawi’s access to various financing mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, which could support sustainable development projects.

Commenting on the role of climate policy in steering national and local responses to climate change, Ngwira argued that effective policies are essential for implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies, as policies at all levels of government set the framework for action. He urged Malawi’s policymakers to integrate climate goals into broader development policies to ensure a coordinated response. Effective climate policy, he added, should also empower vulnerable communities, enabling them to participate in decision-making and access climate-resilient resources.

By building knowledge in climate science, resilience, financing, and policy, Ngwira and the MUBAS team aim to empower stakeholders to take informed, impactful actions toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future.