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Campaigning for climate justice in Copenhagen

Baaba Maal performs at BBC Television Centre for a concert on behalf of BBC WSTSenegalese musician Baaba Maal urges climate justice for the world's poorest and heads to Copenhagen to highlight the critical need for access to information.

In a special event to mark the Copenhagen conference's closing stages, Senegalese singing star Baaba Maal will be interviewed by BBC HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur.

 
 
 
'In conversation with Baaba Maal', on Thursday 17 December, will hear the legendary singer talk about his life, discuss his concerns about climate change in the developing world, and play a short acoustic set.
 
Around 15,000 are expected to descend on Copenhagen for the UN's crucial two-week summit, COP15. Baaba Maal will be attending the second week as the climate change ambassador for Africa Talks Climate.
 
Throughout 2009, Africa Talks Climate convened discussions with over 1,000 people across ten sub-Saharan countries, including Baaba Maal's own Senegal. Findings show that, despite Africa's status as a low polluter, many Africans attribute their changing climate to local factors such as tree cutting and there is little awareness of the impact and responsibility of the industrialised world.
 
Baaba Maal says:
 
"It is a terrible injustice that some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people are only blaming themselves for problems that are not of their own making. They need information and they need to be heard: Africa Talks Climate is helping amplify the voices and concerns of those who are too often left in the dark."Senegalese musician Baaba Maal
 
The issue of climate justice is raised by the research findings and echoed by Baaba Maal:
 
"Whatever declarations are made in Copenhagen we need visible commitment to action for the developing world. What Africa needs is investment, not aid.
 
Those who largely caused climate change should now take responsibility for their actions and support those who are most vulnerable and most affected. Africa needs technological solutions and knowledge sharing that will help people adapt their lives."
 
Just before his interview with Stephen Sackur, Baaba Maal will introduce "The Greatest Youth Debate on Earth", a special edition of the BBC World Service's flagship interactive news programme World Have Your Say. The debate will involve a panel discussion with young people from around the world.
 

Baaba Maal In Conversation with Stephen Sackur takes place on 17 December at 8pm (CET) at the Pumpehuset, Copenhagen.

Visit Baaba Maal's official site for more.