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WWF urges Africa to invest in nature to spur economic recovery

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NAIROBI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global wildlife conservation organization on Monday called on African governments to invest in nature to help spur green economic recovery for post-COVID-19.

The organization said that Africa can build a more resilient and sustainable future centered on healthy people and a healthy planet.

"Investments in nature restoration initiatives provide opportunities for green jobs, reduction of climate change impacts, and avoid costs of adapting to climate change," WWF said in a new policy brief that has been released in Nairobi.

"Given that between 30 and 50 percent of total wealth in most African countries comes from its natural capital, Africa can do more than just recover," it added.

The organization said that COVID-19 pandemic has transformed local and national landscapes across Africa threatening the continent's already fragile development trajectory.

According to the policy, investments in rehabilitating watersheds would ensure access to clean water and reduce the need for borrowing to build dams and water reservoirs.

WWF attributed the collapse of the tourism sector in Africa to health, economic and environmental challenges occasioned by the outbreak of the pandemic.

It noted that the collapse of key economic sectors and tourism has combined to create triple health, economic and environmental challenge.

It said that these disruptions have inspired many of the urban unemployed to reconsider life in the city and return to rural areas.

The organization noted that the unprecedented urban-rural migration could be an opportunity for Africa to invest stimulus packages into transforming rural areas into vibrant and productive landscapes with mobile technology and distributed renewable energy systems.

"The pandemic provides an opportunity for Africa to embrace innovative new approaches to designing rural and urban open spaces that integrate green spaces that are critical for both mental and physical health," WWF said.

It noted that economic and social disruptions associated with COVID-19 such as lockdowns and market closures have highlighted the need to invest in city region food systems that ensure food security for the growing urban populations.

The conservation body noted that shifting diets towards local traditional foods and investing in ecosystem services will reduce habitat conversion, decrease dependency on polluting fertilizers and pesticides.

"It will also help decrease waste, reduce food-related Greenhouse Gas Emission and ultimately increase nutritional, health, and environmental outcomes," it added. Enditem

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