Global climate deals have failed to deliver the promised $100 billion annually to help Global South countries achieve climate goals, with plans now five years behind schedule. President Macron's summit in Paris aims to rebalance relationships for a new agreement, crucial for COP28 in Dubai. The article emphasizes the need for the next climate finance plan to focus on the Global South, particularly Africa, which faces severe climate impacts. It advocates for significant investment in affordable, clean energy to meet Sustainable Development Goals and support adaptation. The article highlights the work of innovators like Sokofresh and Solar Aid and calls for wealthy nations and major funders to match the commitment of frontline organizations and Global South governments.

In Cameroon, a new and disturbing trend in wildlife trafficking is emerging, where poachers are now targeting gorillas and chimpanzees for their heads, bones, and limbs rather than for bush meat. This trade is believed to be more lucrative and is causing a rapid decline in ape populations. The Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA) and other anti-poaching groups have noticed an increase in the number of traffickers arrested with ape parts. The demand for these parts is linked to mystical practices in Nigerian communities. Despite efforts to combat this illegal trade, corruption within the legal system hinders the prosecution of major traffickers. Conservationists warn that if the current trend continues, great apes could become extinct in the wild within the next 10 to 15 years.

In Cameroon's Far North Region, the presence of Boko Haram has significantly altered daily life, particularly affecting transportation. Taxis now operate primarily at night due to a curfew on motorbikes, which are the preferred mode of transport but have been associated with Boko Haram activities. The regional administration has implemented strict measures to combat the insurgent group, including banning bikes in remote areas and limiting their use in cities. The conflict has led to increased military presence and the creation of local vigilante groups. The socioeconomic impact is profound, with the local economy, humanitarian efforts, and social life suffering. Officials and aid workers are concerned about the potential for the worsening situation to drive unemployed youth towards Boko Haram. Despite efforts by the military and local authorities, the threat of Boko Haram remains high, causing fear and uncertainty among residents.

In northwestern Cameroon, the rare chimpanzee population is under threat due to human encroachment on their habitat. The chimps, possibly a new sub-species, are being forced to adapt by building nests near human settlements and eating crops like maize. Conservation efforts by Martin Mikeš and his team, including the NGO Kedjom-Keku, face challenges due to limited funding and lack of protected area status for the forests. The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife acknowledges only a handful of chimps remain in the Kedjom mountain area. Conservationists aim to create a corridor linking isolated forests, but require local cooperation and face obstacles such as new roads that could increase forest encroachment.

The article discusses the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cameroon, where over 150,000 Central African refugees have fled due to violence in their home country. With new arrivals each week, the number could reach 200,000 by year's end. The U.N. assistant secretary-general, Kyung-wha Kang, highlights the underfunded response to the crisis, emphasizing the need for more resources to provide food, shelter, and meet other needs. Despite some improvements in the Central African Republic, the situation remains volatile, preventing refugees from returning home. The crisis is compounded by Nigerian refugees fleeing Boko Haram, adding to the strain on resources in northern Cameroon. The U.N. agencies' budget for humanitarian relief in the region has increased significantly, but with limited funding, the future of these refugees remains uncertain.

Cameroon is enforcing a ban on disposable plastic bags for environmental reasons, driving the trade underground and doubling prices. The ban, which has been in place since 1996 but only recently enforced, has led to a lucrative illegal market, with smuggling from Nigeria being a significant issue. Authorities are targeting both small-scale dealers and larger networks, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. The government's plan is to phase out all plastics and replace them with biodegradable alternatives. While supermarkets, bakeries, and pharmacies have complied by using paper bags or charging for legal plastic bags, small business owners protest the ban as radical and expensive. A new law is being considered to penalize anyone caught with plastics, and the Ministry of Environment is educating the public on the negative impacts of plastic waste.

The humanitarian crisis in eastern Cameroon, driven by the influx of over 215,000 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), has led to severe malnutrition, rampant diseases, and inadequate living conditions in refugee camps. Relief organizations like UNICEF and Medecins Sans Frontieres are struggling with insufficient funding, which hampers their ability to provide necessary aid. The crisis has strained local resources, leading to potential social instability. Despite the dire circumstances, young refugees remain hopeful, engaging in educational activities within the camps.