In this candid conversation, John Mwakima, a community leader from Kenya, shares his firsthand experience with the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project with Mike Korchinsky, Founder and President of Wildlife Works. Born and raised in a town within the decade-old REDD+ project, John Mwakima has seen the transformational before-and-after effects of the project on his community. Together, Mike and John dive deep into the often-misunderstood world of voluntary carbon markets and their impact on communities in the Global South. As western organizations make sweeping decisions about the future of the voluntary carbon market, it is critical that local community members who have been directly affected by these projects are effectively consulted. This conversation aims to amplify one such voice, offering invaluable insights from the ground level.
Key takeaways from the conversation:
The importance of local perspectives: John highlights the transformative effects of the carbon credit project on education, infrastructure, and community development in his area.
Misconceptions addressed: The conversation challenges some common criticisms of carbon credit programs, emphasizing the importance of hearing from those directly affected.
Call for balanced dialogue: Mike and John stress the need for including voices from the Global South in discussions about carbon markets and climate change mitigation.
Long-term impact: The conversation touches on how the REDD+ projects can shift local attitudes towards conservation and sustainable development.
Transparency and accountability: The need for increased transparency in carbon markets is discussed, along with ways to ensure equitable outcomes for participating communities.
This conversation offers a unique ground-level view of how carbon credit projects can work when done right, and calls for a more nuanced, inclusive discussion on their role in combating climate change. Listen to the full conversation to hear more about this complex and crucial topic from those directly involved.
About John Mwakima:
John Mwangeka Mwakima is a community leader from Taita-Taveta County, Kenya, with 14 years of impactful contributions to public administration and sustainable development. His passion for the carbon market, sparked by witnessing the transformative impact of the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project on his rural village, has made him a fervent advocate for climate action and sustainable socio-economic empowerment. John has played a pivotal role in shaping key public policies, including the Taita-Taveta County Health Services Act, the Climate Action Plan, and the County Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation Handbook, driving significant progress in his region. John has received advanced training in Human Rights Based Approaches to Development from the MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation in Tanzania, as well as in Strategic Leadership, Change Management, and Senior Management courses from the Kenya School of Government. His unwavering commitment to sustainable development continues to inspire change at both the local and global levels.
About Mike Korchinsky:
Wildlife Works was founded in 1997 by Mike Korchinsky with a mission to develop a market-based solution for wildlife conservation that creates real, sustainable development for local communities.
Learn more about Mike here.
Learn more about the Wildlife Works origin story here:
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