adminserious cooking.
Fortunately, such isolated events cannot be interpreted to represent the effects of climate change or a warming of the earth’s surface.
Such variability in climatic conditions is not uncommon. In any season, temperatures could swing to hot or cold, mild to very hot or very cold, or vice versa.
However, if record temperatures reported across Zimbabwe in the previous week are taken to represent a warming scenario, then this is a screaming call for the world and Zimbabwe in particular to take serious action against emission of global warming causing gases.
If the heat that caused many people to wilt, and several others to faint is what the world can expect in a warmed earth, then this is a rude call for governments to wake up and come out of Durban with a credible, binding agreement.
Zimbabwe need not look anywhere far to appreciate the reality of climate change and its destructive potential.
Average national temperatures have risen by 0,7 degrees Celsius since the 1960s.
This warming trend is in line with most parts of the southern Africa region particularly the interior of the continent.
Also, there has been a noticeable decrease in rainfall throughout Zimbabwe with a decline of almost five percent over the northern half of the country and of about 15 percent in the southern and western parts over the last century.
Matebeleland and Masvingo have felt the effects of the current climate change more than any other region, with a higher frequency of drought.
That is not the end. Scorching weather conditions last week caused a major scare, with some wondering if agriculture production would be meaningful while others questioned and found silent answers – this is the heat they always talk about calling it global warming? Wrong.
Meteorological Services Department director Mr Tich Zinyemba explained last week that the hot conditions were passing and had nothing to do with climate change or global warming.
He said neither was this a heat wave. For a heat wave to occur average national temperatures have to rise by at least five degrees Celsius and that has not happened.
“The current hot temperatures cannot be explained or attributed to global warming because of the time frame,” explained Mr Zinyemba.
” . . .This event is really a short duration event and therefore one needs to look into it from the context of a number of years. October is generally a hot month and this particular one has seen serious temperature increases . . . We expect some respite from the stifling heat by the weekend (ending October 30).
“There should be some isolated thunder showers across the country today (Thursday).”
Day temperatures hit the roof country wide last week. Chiredzi reported a record high of 46 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, Harare 36, Kariba 44 degrees Celsius, Binga 43 and Bulawayo 39 representing the worst temperatures captured in the previous 85 years.
No area in Zimbabwe recorded temperatures of below 35 degrees Celsius.
Although the current hot weather episodes being experienced in the country have no relation to global warming, it
does paint pictures of the environmental and health catastrophes Zimbabwe can expect if world temperatures were allowed to rise with little action to keep them in check.
The world target is to maintain a maximum growth of 2 degrees Celsius in the earth’s surface temperatures by 2050.
This level of increase is viewed as manageable. However, these targets will not be met if world leaders, particularly those from the developed nations continue shifting goal posts on commitments to limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
The International Energy Agency estimates that 30 billion tonnes of carbon is dumped into the atmosphere yearly, mainly by China and the US.
Scientists have proven carbon emissions are the lead driver of global warming and climate change.
This means therefore any international summit on climate change must come up with legally binding agreements to fight changing climatic conditions and raise money to fund adaptation programmes in worst affected regions like Africa.
Durban, which is being chaired by South Africa, faces an acid test of coming up with a global position that favours and answers the continent’s cries for guaranteed commitments to extending Kyoto’s lifespan and reducing emissions.
There is sufficient concern among Africans to dealing with the effects and causes of climate change.
Most African countries have first hand experience of the hazards caused by climate change, which is usually worsened by poverty.
However, while pressing for international action Africa must also strengthen own environmental governance policies and structures, which are key in handling climate change and global warming.
The concept of sustainable development must also be embraced fully if the continent wants to avoid becoming another America or China – the best polluting nations!
Last week Zimbabwe announced plans to launch its strategic environment policy for the next five years.
Such strategies are strategies in the right direction in addressing the challenge of climate change, environment and resource management.
God is faithful.
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Online Reporter