Since I last reflected for Justice and Peace Scotland about the effects of the climate crisis in Zambia, my country has experienced even more adverse impacts of climate change, including an increase in the frequency and severity of seasonal droughts, occasional dry spells, and increased temperatures in valleys. There have been flash floods and changes in the growing season.
While countries in the global North seem not to want to act quickly on the climate emergency, Zambia is working to develop sustainable and appropriate programmes for both crops and livestock in the race against climate change.
Some of these measures include the promotion of irrigation and efficient use of water resources, early watering systems and preparations, and we are using remote sensing in mapping of drought prone areas.
But changes in climate pose challenges to Zambia’s ongoing efforts to combat poverty, reduce food insecurity and manage natural resources.
According to the director of the Meteorological Department of Zambia, agriculture is the sector most affected by climate change because it is the mainstay of rural employment in Zambia. We depend on staple crops like maize and cassava, whose yields rely on a timely rainy season and stable temperatures. As our temperatures go up and rainfall patterns become more erratic, crop yields have plummeted.
Zambia should have plenty of water because it sits between the Zambezi and Congo River basins. But we rely on electricity to pump water from deep underground and now reduced river flows are badly affecting hydro plants on the Zambezi and Kafue Rivers. The industrial sector is obviously badly affected, but also the general population. Around 35 per cent of us have no access to clean water and 55 per cent have no sanitation facilities.
Crazy things are happening. Much of the country has no water and no electricity. But in the north of Zambia, floods have led to water contamination and the spread of waterborne illnesses are affecting both humans and livestock. We’re told that climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea are increasing. I’ve suffered from malaria and it is life threatening. I can only pray this menace doesn’t get worse. It already affects around four million Zambians every year. Cholera is on the rise, too. When people are poor, eating only one meal a day, malnutrition makes them more vulnerable to diseases. For the first time since 2004, we are seeing the UN food programme back in Zambia distributing mealie meal.
Our lives are getting worse. Copper mining, agriculture and tourism are our main industries in 2020. Lack of power threatens the copper mines. Drought is destroying our agriculture and people are starving. And the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has had the lowest ever water levels. That’s a major threat to tourism.
We need to stand up and take action to reduce the situation. This will include cooperating between stakeholders, government officials and ourselves. It’s NOT too late to solve the problem. But we must communicate climate science to the public. I believe it is our duty to alert people to the urgency of the situation, and this ought to be done in all nations. This is serious.