The world is battling diseases and poverty and most of these calamities are caused by Climate Change.
In this article I am going to talk about the causes of Climate Change, how it has affected the world negatively and also talk about possible strategies that may be used to avoid further disasters.
Climate Change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified or characterised by the decrease or increase in temperatures.
Climate Change can be caused by natural or human factors in which human factors are the chief cause.
Humans have over the years cause both water and air pollution. Burning of solid waste causes air pollution that can be harmful to the environment. According to a document released by Environment Africa, approximately 48% of waste produced in Zimbabwe is disposed illegally. When the waste is burnt it pollutes the air and when the waste is dumped on the ground, when the rain comes it is washed into rivers and dams.
There are two types of Climate Change, adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is an adjustment in ecological systems and mitigation refers to any anthropogenic intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.
Climate Change can cause the Greenhouse effect which occurs when excessive gases accumulate in the atmosphere. Basically when solar radiation heats the earth surface, they bring out gases that trap the heat, resulting to the earth surface heating up. That is Greenhouse effect.
Climate Change can also cause Global warming which affects ocean and wind currents, leading to changes in rainfall patterns and increases extreme weather events such as storms, drought, fires and floods. Global warming affects the hydrological cycle through upsetting the energy balances.
Climate change may cause disasters such as cyclones and Zimbabwe and most countries in the Southern Africa experienced cyclone Eline in the year 2000 and recently we experienced cyclone Idai and Cyclone Charleen in which heavy storms damaged lives and the environment.
These disasters are more harmful to children and the elderly than youths and young adults. The disasters mainly affect poor and developing countries even though Climate Change is usually caused by developed countries that have sufficient resources and running industries.
Climate Change has affected the world’s economy especially in developing countries that rely on farming for their economic growth. Rainfall seasons are no longer predictable hence many farmers risk losing their produces to either floods or the heat wave.
Economies also rely on minerals and mining usually leads to clearing of forests and most miners lose lives when the mines collapse especially in the rainy season.
Climate Change also affects the tourism sector. In Zimbabwe it is linked to Climate Change sensitive attractions such as wildlife, water bodies and landscapes. The tourism industry is therefore linked to the aviation industry and air travel may not be attractive to Climate sensitive potential tourists due to carbon emissions.
The transport is sector is also greatly affected by Climate Change. For every economy to thrive there is need for transportation of labor, goods and services. In Zimbabwe Transportation is sometimes affected by excessive weather situations such as heatwave, floods and cyclones.
After all is said and done, there are strategies that may be used for disaster Climate Change management:
When global warming heats, societies need to promote water use efficiency, that is recycling water. For example the water used for washing clothes can also be used to water plants. Societies also need to protect ground water surfaces from direct sun.
Planting of trees to replace those destroyed in harsh weather conditions helps in preserving the environment as well as agriculture. When we plant crops, we help in maintaining soil moisture. Also there is need to develop infrastructure that saves water.
Farmers need to adapt to climate change by always listening to the radio for possible weather announcements by the Meteorological Service Department so that they can be prepared for possible disasters. They also need to adapt to indigenous livestock that can cope in all weather patterns and grow crops that are all weather friendly.
There is also need for the government to strengthen early warning systems, to promote decrease energy consumptions and to promote mandatory environmental management systems.
For miners, there is need to support small scale miners through improving their environmental systems.
There is need to adapt to climate change in the transport sector by developing a transport policy that educates the populace on what to do when a disaster strike.
When a community is affected by flooding, those on the lower grounds should quickly evacuate to higher places so as to avoid drowning. The government should always have finances set aside for possible Climate Change disasters so that the country and the rest of the world will not continue losing lives to natural disasters.
Environmental experts however have what they call, climate and social justice in which people and the planet are treated fairly in ways in which they try to reduce further Climate Change and try to make everyone adapt to the changes which was brought about by Climate Change.
Moreover, to mitigate and prepare for such hazards, the government of Zimbabwe enacted the Civil Protection Act as a disaster legislation and created several institutions such as the Department of Civil Protection which is charged with the coordination and management of disasters and hazards.
However, the institutions have severe challenges in executing their mandate resulting in the increase of disaster impacts.
To that effect, the government is not alone in Climate Change disaster management as there are other Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) such as the Environment Africa which was formed in 1980. Environment Africa is an African rooted not for profit organisation with over 20 years of African experience in responding to the needs of all African people.
“We believe that we have to focus on African solutions for the most pressing environment and development challenges, working with conservation and communities in a collaborative, innovative and action orientated way that promotes a sustainable future for Africa. Through our work, we know that sustainable development, together with conservation and communities, is key to addressing some of Africa’s challenges such as sustainable livelihoods, climate change, environmental governance and biodiversity, the 2010 to 2014 priority areas for Environment Africa.” Environment Africa said in a statement.
Environment Africa also has offices in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique and their head offices are in Zimbabwe.
They venture in many humanitarian events whilst giving back to the community.
Other organisations such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), United Nations (UN), World Bank among other organisations also come in handy in providing funding and other aids whenever there are Climate Change disasters in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe. Civil Protection Act of 1989 states that it is National Policy for Civil Protection that every citizen of this country should assist where possible to avert or limit the effects of disaster. As provided by central government initiates hazard reduction measures through relevant sector Ministries with the local administration taking the responsibility for implementing its effectiveness.
Together we can help in alleviating disasters created by Climate Change by adapting to the new changes and avoiding spoiling the environment and also through using renewable and clean sources of energy for example the solar system.