Africans must do their bit on 'climate change'

Editor | Monday December 13, 2010 00:00

Even at the bar stool, the misfortunes of the Kings of the Bakwena occupy a larger space in conversations than the imminent threat of encroaching desertification, floods and the resultant damage to any agricultural prospects that the country still harbours.

Many years ago, when Dr Gaositwe Chiepe was Foreign Affairs minister, she returned to report to Parliament that she had seen something of a near-miracle in Guinea Bissau.  There, Amilcar Cabral's men had inherited a near-desert country.  But the government had launched a campaign to plant trees so widely that in a few years' time, there was more than enough rain to satisfy the needs of peasant agriculture.

Tree planting in Botswana, despite the dire need for water, remains little more than a pastime for aspiring upper middle class families.

A few years ago, it was rumoured that the Botswana Housing Corporation would offer a prize for a well-kept garden.  It also encouraged tenants to keep the trees that they found on the plot. It does appear that was only a rumour.

In the mid-1980's the opposition, Botswana National Front, advocated strongly for irrigated farming based on the belief - and perhaps some specialist advice - that the Okavango was capable of supplying adequate water and more.

Ironically, though official policy seems to suggest that Botswana has relented on full-fledged farming for 'self sufficiency' on account of lack of rainfall and relentless drought, the government is strict on directing the youth grant to agricultural projects rather than the arts for instance.

Given the apparent lack of political resolve with regard to mitigating the effects of global warming and other environmental threats, it is no wonder that the developed countries view the contributions of the underdeveloped countries at the large global fora with contempt.

Reports coming out of Cancun in Mexico after the 11-day 'global warming' summit held there, celebrate the crafting of an agreement - objected to by Bolivia - which established an annual fund of US$100 billion to help the underdeveloped countries in the battle against environmental degradation.

It appears that the Africans in particular, could spend more time doing the small things that they can do at home, instead of fidgeting over politics.   Oh Cote d'Ivoire!