Climate Change: What You need to know.

Climate change is as much a part of our lives today as it has always been. It is just not something many people even consider as they go on day by day. It is not a dreamed up notion purported by over zealous scientists or crazed environmentalists. Every aspect of our lives, every interaction we make has an effect on climate and environment and will continue to do so unless we take positive steps to counteract negative impact.

Simply explained, Climate Change is a regional change in temperature and weather conditions. Current science indicates a change over the last century and human activity specifically the burning of fossil fuels. The term has also been used synonymously with “global warming” and “green house effect”.

The effects of climate change on Uganda have taken their toll over time. In 2006 after investigations were carried out on Mountain Rwenzori, it was reported that warmer temperatures were melting the glaciers on its picks and the snow would eventually disappear within 2 to 3 decades. The glaciers act as a major source of fresh water to kigezi and thus their loss would affect water availability. The region thus has to start preparing for this eventuality by drilling bore holes to tap under ground water and adapt irrigation systems to conserve the regions rain.

In April 2007, it was also reported that changes in rainfall patterns, increased droughts, lowering of the water table and other factors go a long way in contributing to disease increment, especially in regard to Malaria, cause unstable weather patterns that affect farming especially that of crops like coffee, cassava and Soya and so on.

This year, the Government of Uganda allowed big industries in Uganda to run diesel powered generators to boost their energy levels following the start of nation wide load-shedding. This is interesting considering that diesel is one of the most common elements through which the gases that affect the climate are emitted.

When the different climate-changing activities in which Ugandans are involved are peaked, it should be obvious that we have to effect some measures to ensure that we conserve natural resources and balance out environmental effects.

What we can do as a nation is first realise that climate change is a reality and the burden lies on each of us to deal with the results of our activities.

As a nation, we need to take the international conventions and protocols on climate change seriously and enact laws and regulations to protect our country and its resources. National resource has to be directed towards creating workable solutions to deal with these changes in climate. We need to be able to prevent natural disastrous such as droughts and have measures to ensure survival in case of natural disasters.

We cannot fully rely on only one source of energy, hydro electricity as evidence by restrictions to energy production we are suffering at the moment. We have other sources that need to be fully investigated and made effective.

Ideas without implementation are just that, ideas. We need change. We need to wake up and realise that we will be totally defenceless if we do not act now.