adminNgoni Dapira
THE climate change adaptation discourse has over the years not sunk deep in the hearts of many in developing countries quite often being considered as a westernised phenomenon. However, the fact is that climate change is a cancerous global reality here to stay that needs advanced research. Sixty-five million years ago scientists believe creatures known as dinosaurs died along with more than 50 percent of other life forms on the planet.
A favoured theory was that tectonically induced climate change interfered with food chains, disrupting them enough to cause widespread extinction among many different organisms.
The biggest question, however, is what climate change adaptation is and how exactly is it affecting the average person?
Human beings have always been known to adapt to the environment, but with the complexities of the modern world governed by laws, politics, territorial boundaries and famine, it is no longer that easy for one to just pack up and relocate in the event of a climate change disaster in one region.
That is where we talk about adaptation. Adaptation basically means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage they can cause.
Scientists have proven that well planned, early adaptation action saves money and lives later.
That is why the need for extensive research on adaptation and investment in new weather forecast technologies for early warning systems is important as the climate change and adaptation debates continue.
During the official launch of the scaling up climate change adaptation project in Mutare last Wednesday, it was revealed that research has shown that agriculture and water resources will be the worst affected by climate change by 2050.
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, Mr Prince Mupazviriho in a speech read on his behalf by the director of Finance, Administration and Human Resources in the Ministry, Mr Peter Mudzamiri.
Mr Mudzamiri said research studies had shown that rainfall over much of Zimbabwe was likely to decline by about five to 20 percent by 2050 and temperatures would warm up by about two to 3.5 degrees Celsius over the same period.
Run-off is expected to decline in most river basins of the country by up to 20 percent, while cereal yields are projected to decline by up to 50 percent over the same period.
He said in light of such scientifically proven challenges Government has developed the National Climate Change Response Strategy with a vision to transform the country into a climate change resilient nation.
Over 10 000 households in parts of Buhera, Chiredzi and Chimanimani stand to benefit from the $4 million pilot climate change adaptation project funded by various Non-Governmental Organisations, Oxfam, United Nations Development Programme, Southern Africa Food and Climate Justice Campaign and Plan International in partnership with Government. Oxfam will be the main implementer of the four-year project and the three-targeted districts will be a learning case for imitation in other climate change impacted areas throughout the country.
Mr Mudzamiri added that the increasing frequencies of climate extremes particularly drought and the shifting rainfall patterns were a major threat to sensitive sectors of the economy which include agriculture, energy, forestry, water and tourism, which would consequently affect the Gross Domestic Product and livelihoods, especially in the rural communities.
He said it was critical for support to be channelled to marginalised communities to ensure that they were capacitated to adapt to extreme events particularly the agriculture based livelihoods.
He said the development of a climate policy, which is in progress, would also further support and guide the realisation of a climate change resilient nation and the National Climate Change Response Strategy.
However, a full-fledged Climate Change Management Department directed by Mr Washington Zhakata, which will effectively expedite the country’s climate change concerns was recently set-up.
“Zimbabwe was among the first few countries to sign and ratify the climate change convention and has acceded to the Kyoto Protocol.
“Addressing climate change requires close co-operation among all of us and we are grateful to our international partners for assisting with financial resources for this project we are launching today,” he said.
He added that adaptation strategies would be needed at all levels of administration from local, regional, national and international.
Oxfam country director, Mr Jan Vossen, said climate change was a global reality that was going to stay for a long time that needed immediate intervention.
“Climate change had for a long time not been recognized as an important issue for development despite the fact that it was already negatively impacting on the development efforts of government and stakeholders.
“Therefore climate change adaptation has to be high on the strategic agendas of government and its development partners,” said Mr Vossen.
The scaling up climate change adaptation project manager from Oxfam, Dr Leonard Unganai said the project would target smallholder farmers, but 70 percent would be women-headed farmers. He said the project was a follow-up to the 2008-2012 Coping with Drought and Climate Change UNDP funded programme in Chiredzi that worked with 2000 farmers focusing on how to deal with drought and impact of climate change.
Dr Unganai said the climate change adaptation project therefore has two components. One is to upscale adaptation with focus on rural livelihoods at community level and the other is to strengthen integrated planning systems at policy level.
Online Reporter