The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to keep it under 1.5°C. Uganda, an agricultural nation, pledged a 22% carbon cut by 2030. The country's agriculture is vulnerable to climate change, with 80% smallholder farmers and 70% subsistence farmers lacking modern methods. Rising temperatures threaten to surpass the 1.5°C limit, with visible effects like crop diseases, animal deaths, and water shortages. Uganda's economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, faces challenges with coffee production and exports declining due to diseases and temperature changes. The country's development goals focus on transforming from peasant to commercial farming, but climate change poses a significant threat. Global efforts to curb emissions are crucial for Uganda's agricultural sector's survival.

US President Donald Trump appointed Kathleen Hartnett-White, a climate change skeptic, to head the White House office coordinating environmental and energy policies. Hartnett-White, who has questioned the scientific consensus on human-fueled climate change, is a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, with ties to oil industry executives. Her nomination is seen as a win for industry interests and a threat to environmental protection, especially as the Trump administration has left many key scientific posts vacant.

Climate change is increasingly driving migration across various regions in Africa, surpassing economic, political, or social reasons. The migration, often induced by environmental factors, is highlighted in the context of the UN World Food Day, emphasizing the need to invest in food security and rural development to change the future of migration. The 2017 World Hunger report indicates a rise in the Ugandan population at risk of hunger and food insecurity, attributing it to extreme climatic conditions affecting food production.

The COP22 conference in Marrakech, Morocco, is an opportunity for Africa to lead in voicing concerns about climate change, particularly the lack of attention to agriculture in the Paris Agreement. Despite low CO2 emissions, Africa faces severe climate impacts, with calls for $50 billion per year for adaptation and a 1.5-degree warming limit. The European Union and others have pledged support for the African Renewable Energy Initiative, but more robust positions on compensation and emissions cuts are needed.

The article highlights the deceptive practices of the tobacco and fossil fuel industries, drawing parallels between their strategies to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking and climate change. It discusses the legal actions taken against Big Tobacco and calls for similar accountability for Big Oil. The text emphasizes the need for stronger regulations and legal tools to hold these industries accountable for their impact on public health and the environment.

The article argues that climate change efforts should adopt the aggressive tactics used in tobacco control by excluding fossil fuel industry lobbyists from negotiations. It criticizes the UNFCCC for allowing fossil fuel companies to influence climate policies and praises the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control for its success in reducing tobacco-related deaths. The text highlights the conflict of interest in climate negotiations and calls for a more hostile stance towards carbon emitters to achieve meaningful progress in combating global warming.

Uganda's weather patterns have become increasingly erratic due to climate change, disrupting the traditional wet and dry seasons. The dry spell in August 2016 has severely affected agriculture, which employs 85% of the population. Farmers like Mr. Masaba are witnessing reduced crop yields and struggling with diseases and pests exacerbated by warmer conditions. The article highlights the urgent need for global efforts to curb carbon-dioxide emissions to restore natural weather patterns and ensure food and economic security.

Countries are making significant commitments to combat climate change, aiming for ambitious long-term goals to inspire action and improve environmental policies. The urgency is underscored by 2015 being the hottest year on record and the devastating effects of climate change on African countries, such as the severe drought in 2011. Poor goal setting has been linked to policy failures, but the hope is that by 2050, current climate actions will lead to a reduction in global temperatures by keeping them to an average of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana are highlighted for their efforts towards green economies and solving energy crises, respectively. The article emphasizes the importance of consistent policy agendas and long-term energy targets, potentially supported by government and development partner subsidies.

The climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany, are pivotal in shaping global climate policies, with countries setting ambitious targets to cut carbon emissions and limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050. The discussions emphasize the importance of long-term goals and the need for global responsibility in addressing climate change. While some countries may resist full commitments, the UNFCC is urged to ensure adherence to agreements. The divestment movement against fossil fuels is gaining momentum, with companies like TOTAL diversifying into renewable energy. The European Union and scientific organizations stress the urgency of limiting global warming to prevent severe and irreversible impacts.