Dr. Benewindé Jean-Bosco Zoungrana, Burkina Faso

1. Please describe your (scientific) work/research in a short way

I am a senior lecturer and researcher from the university Joseph Ki-ZERBO of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. My research interests focus on climate change Mitigation/Adaptation and in remote sensing for natural resource management and land use. By my research I target the achievement of SDGs 13 (Climate action) and 15 (Life on land). In this sense, I have explored the use of earth observation data to monitor land degradation, carbon stock and sequestration, deforestation and forest degradation and land use/cover change as well as current and future impact of climate change on vegetation cover in West Africa. This is to contribute to improve people livelihood and their resilience to the global environmental change. 

2. Which aspect of a sustainable life, work and research is especially relevant for you and why?

Reducing the impact of climate change by adequate mitigation and adaptation options and by the use of earth observation data are crucial for improving people livelihood. This very relevant for me.

3. What would be your wish for the future (and why) with this regard?

I wish that adequate mitigation and adaptation strategies be adopted in order to significantly face and reduce the vulnerability to climate change.

4. How is the Corona crisis affecting you in your every-day life and work?

The pandemic of Corona has impacted my lectures since we have to stop in order to respect the lockdown. My research mobility was reduced, and this has negatively influenced my research activities and collaboration. For instance, I was supposed to be in Germany in June 2021 for research activity as planned by my university in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, I have to change my plan, since my university decided to allow travelling only within West Africa because of the Corona crisis. Nevertheless, later I continued my lectures and conferences using online tools to reduce delaying. In my community, adaptation to the lockdown were very difficult, people were not ready and prepare adequately to face this shock.