Global warming limiting resources for the youth

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Friday November 25, 2011 00:00

Atlhopheng, a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Botswana made these remarks recently at the launch of the 'We Have Faith' campaign, a faith based climate change initiative.

He said the youth as the future of the world are most vulnerable to the daunting effects of climate change because consumerism and hunger for profits has led to unequal stock of goods and developmental resources.

'The youth will have nothing to sustain development due to the degradation of the GDP, because that's what the environment is,' Atlhopheng said.

Not only will it halt economic development but also have adverse effects on social identity because the environment shapes culture as cultural aspects like totems, staple foods and traditional ceremonies depend hugely on the ecosystem and agricultural produce.

He said climate change would kill natural justice because third world economics are feeling the heaviest brunt and it could lead to environmental refugees, as some areas get drier for habitation and others becoming warmer and wetter.

'Despite the growing population, temperatures are increasing and affecting ground water resources as surface water has declined, which means water demands will go up,' he said.

He stressed the need for adaptation and reduction of the carbon print (green house gas emissions) through change of lifestyle. He also called for clean development mechanisms, which does not come cheap nor affordable to developing economies.

Meanwhile, director of the department of meteorological services Phetolo Phage said the nation should exploit renewable energy sources such as solar and wind in order to reduce reliance on coal based power generation. He also called for efficiency production and transmission at power stations and reduction of emissions in the transport sector through regular testing of vehicles not only passenger service and goods vehicles.

'It's not for government to take on these initiatives, this is for the private sector and non governmental organisations as they are better placed to embark on,' he said.  He added that the livestock production and tourism sectors are under threat as woodlands and forests would be replaced by thorn and shrub savanna, predicted to expand at the expense of grasslands and moisture forests.

'A warmer climate, especially if it is wetter, will lead to a doubling of the population exposed to vector borne diseases like malaria by 2021,' Phage said. 

The situation will affect all sectors of the economy and is likely to reverse developments that Botswana has achieved, he explained. 

He advanced that there is need for strong advocacy for technology transfer from developed parties to non Annex 1 parties and assistance is needed to build capacity.

Phage applauded the Church and civil society participation in the war against climate change because they interact with many people who heavily rely on natural resources for instance wood for fire, plants for medicinal resources hence they are well placed to spread the awareness message.

For his part the Botswana Council of Churches (BCC) Chairperson, Bishop Champion Malongwa said there has to be continuous assessment of the nation's preparedness for the effects of global warming. He added that the objective of the campaign is to raise awareness on the subject among the nation, as well as individuals.

'It also aims to inform Batswana on the activities lined up to facilitate build up to COP17,' he said.

Such activities include the ongoing Youth Conference on Climate in Kenya, the Youth Caravan on Climate Justice, which will be in the country on November 28, the Petition Drive that seeks to make world leaders take cognizance of Africa's plight as a result of climate change, the Youth Rally and prayers.

The petition will be delivered to the COP17 president and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane by Archbishop Desmond tutu, who endorsed this campaign.

We Have Faith-act now for climate change is a global initiative driven by the Norwegian Church Aid. In Botswana it is spearheaded by the BCC in partnership with the Botswana Kweedom council, Ditshwanelo, University of Botswana Model United Nations.