Wikipedia

Draft:Nicholas Omonuk

  • Comment: Interviews, what Omonuk has said or written or are affiliated with him are primary sources so cannot be used to establish notability and should only be used sparingly. Sources that do not mention Omonuk are not useful. Also, all the footnotes are bunched at the bottom but they need to placed next to claims they are supporting. S0091 (talk) 20:07, 14 April 2024 (UTC)
Nicholas Omonuk
Born8th August, 1999
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
EducationKyambogo University
Years active2021 to date
Known forClimate Activism/Activist

Nicholas Omonuk Okoit (Born 8th August, 1999), also known as Nick Omonuk is a Ugandan Climate Justice Activist

Early Life edit

Omonuk grew up in a rural community of Pallisa in Uganda from a pastoralist family. Nicholas’s family heavily relied on livestock as a critical source of food, labor and milk. As he grew up, his village grappled with severe droughts which not only depleted their water wells and grazing lands but also resulted in food scarcity. Alongside with his brothers, he embarked on extensive journeys with livestock in search of accessible water and grassy areas located kilometers away from their residence. Simultaneously, his sisters also had to walk longer distances to fetch water from the nearest available water wells and boreholes that still had some water. This water was mainly for use at home. Although the water was not clean enough, they did not have a choice but to fetch it. Omonuk graduated with an Engineering degree from Kyambogo University.

Actions For Climate edit

In 2021, Omonuk developed a keen interest in climate change from the university. When he found out that the droughts that his village faced were a result of climate change, he developed passion to fight for climate justice.

Inspired by Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate to start his own climate movement End Fossil Occupy Uganda, Nicholas began solidarity strikes against inaction on the climate crisis. For several months Nicholas held protests both online and physically in Uganda and Europe to demand a phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition for Africa.

In December 2022, Omonuk represented the Most Affected People and Areas (MAPA) at the 27th Conference of the Parties COP27 together with other young climate activists Vanessa Nakate, Elizabeth Wathuti and Evelyn Acham.

In April 2023, Omonuk organized a climate protest to demand for more investment in renewable energies.[1] A month later, Omonuk organized an occupation at Kyambogo University to draw students into climate action.[2][3] In June 2023, Omonuk joined other youth climate activists from Fridays For Future Austria and Global 2000 to demand ISOPLUS (An Austrian Company) to drop out of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Omonuk highlighted the project's harmful impact on local communities and ecosystems in Uganda and Tanzania.[4][5][6] Recognizing the importance of legislative action, Omonuk also highlighted the relevance of the supply chain law in protecting communities like his from such projects.[7] Through this collaboration they later led a campaign at the European Forum Alpbach months later.[8]

In June 2023, Omonuk gave a speech at a side event at the SB58 Bonn climate Conference highlighting the urgent need for climate finance in the global south.[9]

In July 2023, Omonuk gave a speech on the EU Day of commemorating climate victims urging leaders that climate action is a much better solution.[10]

On 11th August 2023, Omonuk took part in a protest in Basel, Switzerland on climate migration with the Collective Climate Justice an NGO in Switzerland advocating for migrant rights.[11]

In October 2023, Omonuk together with another activist called Maxwell Atuhura gave speeches in Brussels, Austria and Slovenia about corporate abuse by the EACOP in the journey to lobby for the CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive)/Supply Chain Law a law in the European Union to protect vulnerable communities like his from human rights abuse and climate damage by corporations. Omonuk urged leaders, students, journalists, workers, and community members in Europe to vote for the law, emphasizing that if the law was legally binding, it would be easy for communities like those in his country that had been affected by the EACOP to hold the company that was involved in the project accountable for the damages.[12][13][14]

Omonuk also participated in different climate protests in Europe to demand for climate justice.[15][16][17]He has organized campaigns to demand for a fossil fuel phase-out and has been able to collaborate with several European NGOs and climate activist movements.[18]

In December 2023, Omonuk represented the Global South at the 28th Conference of the PartiesCOP28 which was key in operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund and decision on the phase-out of Fossil Fuels.

Omonuk is also the co-founder of Plant For My Future an initiative that gathers youth and communities across Africa to plant trees and educate people about climate change.

Omonuk has also spoken at various podcasts and events sharing his perspective on climate change intersectionalities, including migration, corporate neocolonialism, social justice, and more.[19][20][21][22][23][24]

Achievements in Activism edit

Omonuk's activism has been instrumental in raising awareness and mobilizing support for environmental causes, particularly in regards to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. Throughout the campaign, several financial institutions and companies, including ISOPLUS, an Austrian company, withdrew their support from the EACOP due to concerns raised by Nicholas and other activists.[25]

Omonuk's collaboration with European NGOs and climate activist movements further strengthened the global movement for climate justice. By leveraging partnerships and solidarity across borders, he amplified the voices of affected communities and intensified pressure on decision-makers to prioritize environmental sustainability.

In February 2024, Omonuk and his team at End Fossil Occupy Uganda joined a targeted campaign urging insurance companies to cease insuring projects like the EACOP and other fossil fuel ventures. This campaign, spanning five weeks, aimed to disrupt the financial support infrastructure for environmentally harmful projects. The impact of the campaign became evident when Probitas, an insurance company involved in the EACOP, withdrew its support from the project the following month, signaling a significant victory for the climate movement.[26]

Furthermore, Omonuk's advocacy efforts contributed to tangible policy changes, such as the adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in Europe, also known as the Supply Chain Law. This landmark legislation aims to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses and environmental damage across their supply chains.[27]

Recognition edit

Omonuk became an African Climate Ambassador in 2023.

References edit

  1. ^ Mulondo, Lawrence. "Govts asked to invest in renewable energies to mitigate cllimate change". New Vision. Vision Group Uganda. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  2. ^ Steve, Hanley. "Student-Led "End Fossil-Occupy!" Protests Shut Down Schools in Europe". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  3. ^ Asege, Godiver. "University Students drawn into climate change action". Vision Group Uganda. Vision Grouo. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Climate impacts soon included in due diligence?". Breaking Latest News. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  5. ^ Salioski, Šemsa. "EU-Lieferkettengesetz: Klimaauswirkungen bald in Sorgfaltspflicht berücksichtigt?". Trending Toipcs EU. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  6. ^ LA REDAZIONE, MARIAFEDERICA. "Fermiamo l'oleodotto EACOP". Sardegna Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. ^ "NGOs demand more climate commitments in EU supply chain law". Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  8. ^ Holler, Doris (25 August 2023). "Keine Bühne für fossile Geldgeber am Forum Alpbach". Oeko News Austria. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development Initiative (Connected Advocacy): Global Youth Coalition". UNFCCC.
  10. ^ "Dear EU, commemorating climate victims is good but action is better". African Arguments. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  11. ^ Mona Martin, Maria-Elisa Schrade, Maximilian Jacobi (11 August 2023). ""Removed from the ropes by force "- climate action at the Dreirosenbruckke ended". Bzbasel. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ^ Focus (26 October 2023). "Ustrahovanje in pritiski na aktiviste". SI21. SI21. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  13. ^ Philippa, Nuttall. "Why CSDDD negotiations are a matter of life and death". Sustainable Views. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  14. ^ János, Allenbach-Ammann. "Ugandan activists call on EU to move forward on due diligence law". EURATIV. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  15. ^ Winroither, Eva. "#4: Ein Streit übers Fliegen und ein Afrikaner, der den Klimawandel am eigenen Leib erlebt". Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  16. ^ Bongartz, Richard. "Demos anlässlich des Klimastreiks". General Anzieger. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  17. ^ Kassis, Abir. "Around 2,000 people demonstrate at the climate strike in Bonn". General Anzeiger. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  18. ^ Rosane, Olivia. "Hundreds of Students Launch May of Occupations to End Fossil Fuels". Common Dreams.
  19. ^ Howitt, Richard. "Frankly Speaking - A Podcast on Responsible Business". Apple Podcasts. Frank Bold. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  20. ^ Songue, Rufine. "Fluchtursache Klimakrise: Zeit für Anerkennung". Sound Cloud. SuednordFunk. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  21. ^ "El Último Invierno del Gas en Europa". 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Klimaaktivist Nicholas Omonuk: "Viele Afrikaner verkaufen ihr Land und fliehen nach Europa"". Nestral. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  23. ^ "»So wurde ich zum Klimaaktivisten« Nicholas Omonuk von End Fossil Occupy Uganda". Radio Dreyeckland. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  24. ^ Niemetz, Nora (9 September 2023). "Im Weltempfänger anlässlich des weltweiten Klimastreiks am 15.9.23 ein Interview mit einem Klimaaktivisten aus Uganda. Außerdem Infos zu biometrischer Überwachung und die aktuelle Lage in Israel". Radio Fro.
  25. ^ Holler, Doris. "Huge success: Austrian company pulls out of oil pipeline project after protests". Oeko News Austria. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  26. ^ MATOVU, MUHAMADI. "Climate activists pressure insurers to divest from fossil fuels, embrace renewables". Nile Post. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  27. ^ GUIBERT, Christelle. "Europe adopts an ambitious "duty of vigilance", except for the financial sector". West France.

External Links edit

  1. Africa@COP28: Interview with Nicholas Omonuk Okoit, Climate Activist, Uganda
  2. Stoppt EACOP! Stoppt TotalEnergies! feat. Nicholas Omonuk
  3. BÜNDNIS UM LETZTE GENERATION PLANT PROTEST GEGEN DEN BAU VON ERDÖLPIPELINE IN UGANDA UND TANSANIA
  4. Klimaaktivist Nicholas Omonuk: ,,Viele Afrikaner verkaufen ihr Land und fliehen nach Europa
  5. EVENT Unpacking the CSDDD: responsibility, climate and justice by the European Coalition for Corporate Justice
  6. Event with the Evangelisches Forum Bonn
  7. EU podjetja pod lupo: prisluhnimo ugandskim aktivistom
  8. Open Letter to approve the CSDDD by Frontline Defenders
  9. Interview with the Nowegian Forum for Development and Environment
  10. Stop EACOP Comunicato Stampa by Fridays For Future Italia
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