Working it out for climate change

Two workshops, one for government policy makers and one for media personnel were recently organized by the Zambian government to identify and discuss important issues of climate change that will need to be taken into account in future when formulating national policies. Until recently, the issue of climate change has not been taken seriously by the majority of developing nations because they have not been primarily responsible for producing the gases that accumulate in the atmosphere and result in global warming. However, it is beginning to be realized that what has happened in the West is likely to have an impact on the whole globe and that the increasing incidence of droughts, floods and other extreme changes in weather patterns in tropical regions is a result of climate change. Environmentalists, agriculturists and, to some extent, policy makers, are now more firmly convinced that whereas developing countries may not be predominantly responsible for climatic change, it is these nations which will be most at risk from its effects. There is also an increasing acknowledgement that issues arising from climate change must be included in national policy decision making.

Speaking during the workshop for government policy planners, the Director of the Environmental Council of Zambia, James Phiri said, "Future food security in some areas could be under serious threat as increased temperature will lead to droughts as a result of less rainfall and higher rates of evaporation and transpiration. A combination of high carbon dioxide concentration and high temperature may also have negative physiological effects on the photosynthesis process of some plant species". Studies undertaken by the Environmental Council of Zambia have predicted a shortfall of rain in all three agro-ecological regions in Zambia. Maize production, which is the staple crop for a greater part of the Southern African region, could drop by almost sixty percent per hectare, which would make this crop uneconomical unless new varieties are developed for growing under such low precipitation conditions.

By and large both media personnel and government policy planners agreed that in addition to debating issues of policy formulation for climate change, specific measures must be taken to help the agricultural sector to remain supportive to the increasing demand for food security. Among other workshop resolutions were the setting up of water pumping schemes along lakes and rivers in the traditional farming areas of Zambia to promote production of food throughout the year. Policy consultant, Dr. Machwani, also advised that governments should, "Establish a permanent disaster relief fund as an eventuality against climate change". In addition, participants agreed with a Fisheries Department representative on the importance of "Facilitating development of water harvesting techniques by construction of conservation dams so that, during drought years, water is available to farmers to ensure that fish farming as an economic activity is not affected at community level." The Department of Energy and Water Development of Zambia recommended that "Electrification of households and improved production of charcoal should be encouraged to help curb the emission of greenhouse gasses" and journalists pledged to help increase awareness on climate change by increasing coverage of environmental issues.

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