In December 2009, Baaba attended the Climate Change summit in Copenhagen as the climate change ambassador for the Africa Talks Climate initiative - a ground-breaking research and communication initiative that explores the views of African citizens on climate change. While he was there he introduced "The Greatest Youth Debate on Earth", a special edition of the BBC World Service's flagship interactive news programme World Have Your Say, featuring a panel discussion with young people from around the world. AFRICA TALKS CLIMATE RELEASE > SOME PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT > Baaba also participated in a 'in coversation with' event hosted by BBC journalist Stephen Sackur, in which he discussed how culture can combat climate change. He also performed a short acoustic set with Jim Palmer. The BBC were there to record the event and excerpts can be heard by clicking the link below. ONE BLOG INTERVIEW > READ THE RELEASE > INFORMATION IS KEY - A REPORT > BBC WORLD SERVICE FEATURE > BAABA TALKS TO JON SNOW AND WANGARI MAATHAI >

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 December 17th, will hear the acclaimed singer talk about his life, his concerns about climate change in the developing world, and sing a few songs. Baaba Maal is attending COP 15 as the climate change ambassador for ‘Africa Talks Climate’, a research and communication initiative from the BBC World Service Trust, the BBC’s international development charity.

“’Africa Talks Climate’ illustrates that although millions of people are already being badly affected by climate change, they don’t know why, who is to blame, or what to do about it. What is needed is information so that they can start to adapt their lives to survive.”

The research has gathered the opinions of 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 are unaware 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 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.”

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, investment. Those who caused climate change should now take responsibility for their action and help those who are most vulnerable and most affected. Africa needs technological solutions and knowledge sharing that will help people adapt their lives.”

The BBC’s international development charity uses the media to enable people to have access to life-changing information that can help them survive, shape their lives and thrive. Climate change is one of its key themes. Caroline Nursey, its Executive Director says of the collaboration with Baaba Maal: ‘We are delighted that Baaba Maal is our climate change ambassador. So many of the things he feels passionately about we do too: information access, giving people a voice, promoting education, the role of technology and innovation, and the powerful transformative nature of culture and creativity in facilitating positive change.’

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE AFRICA TALKS CLIMATE WEBSITE HERE >