CLIMATE CHANGE NOT A CRISIS OF AFRICA’S MAKING

BY WISDOM MDZUNGAIRI

Zimbabwe – a nation once regarded as an economic powerhouse in Sub-Saharan Africa and considered to be the breadbasket of the region – has had its fair share of tribulations on the political scene which has resulted in it becoming a symbol of ridicule, shame and contempt by the international community in the manner in which it has failed to resolve the political impasse that has been in existence for the past decade or so.

The post-referendum period has had incessant drawbacks of bickering, power struggles and political immaturity.

This has left the ordinary person on the street in utter despair as Zimbabweans wait in vain for the improvement in the basic service delivery systems. Although it might be appreciated that the inclusive government inherited an extremely battered economy which saw a global record inflation rising to astronomical proportions than any country has ever had to endure, some few positives can be pointed out in terms of the introduction of the multi-currency regime that has seen goods and services become available and prices stabilising to a certain extent.

Now basic food commodities seen on the shelves are reasonable and quite affordable prices except that all the political focus is on elections, ignoring other economic sectors of the economy that need as much attention as the others.

I believe climate change is one area that has not been given the much-needed attention it deserves, yet it is a key issue in the international arena. It is a real threat, concern and challenge for all countries of the world.

Over 70% of Zimbabweans depend on annual rains for the water necessary to grow crops, but those rains have been less predictable. This year could see even more numbers facing starvation due to the poor rainfall.

The impact of climate change presents a new hurdle in the fight against extreme poverty and disease as almost 1 million Zimbabweans will need food aid. The changing climate could also mean more frequent drought and floods, water scarcity, and increased health challenges such as under-nutrition.

I must point out that climate change is not a crisis of Africa’s making, yet it is Africans, especially the poorest, who will suffer the first and the worst.

These new challenges will not only make achieving the Millennium Development Goals more difficult, but add yet another challenge for those struggling to combat extreme poverty and disease by exacerbating the conditions of poverty, but threatens to erode the gains that have been made in recent years.

A recent study has found that climate drives a large part of African diarrhoeal disease and increases the threat to vulnerable communities.

The only study of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa is based on three decades of historical data and has important implications for arid countries around the world struggling with poverty and increasing health challenges.

According to Katherine Alexander, a veterinarian who teaches in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment and conducts research at her non-profit Centre for African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land Use (CARACAL): “Diarrhoeal disease is an important health challenge, accounting for the majority of childhood deaths globally
. . .”
Diarrhoeal case incidence peaks in both the wet and dry seasons in many Africa countries with mean case incidence 20% higher on average in the dry season over the wet season.

It is essential to include affected communities in identifying climate change preparedness.Also lack of socio-cultural considerations in public health planning can result in locally applied interventions being non-sustainable.

Understanding climate variability as a determinant of infectious disease is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of climate change preparedness and an urgent area of need in Africa and elsewhere around the world.

Much of the threat of climate change on health results from our vulnerabilities to environmental change. These vulnerabilities are primarily associated with the poor, who are most dependent on the environment and least able to adapt to changes in these systems.

Sadly, had it not been for our poisoned politics, government could simply have addressed current community health deficiencies and climate change impacts would not likely have such important and potentially devastating consequences in the future.

It is vital for the country to develop reliable projections for rainfall to maintain the safety of food production for a large share of the population.

Unfortunately, the beauty of Zimbabwe has been fading with every year due to climate change effects neglect. One cannot imagine why a country like Zimbabwe has failed to produce a climate change blueprint 33 years after independence.

Environment and natural resources is not only about wildlife, it means much more. A climate change policy will do the trick.