Food Security Advocacy Capacity Building Workshop

Challenges of Climate Change Venue: Desmond Tutu Training Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

22nd November, 2010

Doris K Musonda

'‘Please, note that the views expressed in this presentation do not represent any other natural person or institution other than the Author.’’

OUTLINE

Introduction Challenges of Climate Change Effects of Climate Change Negative impact of Climate Change Negative Impact of Climate Change-Zambia Causes of Climate Change Way forward Conclusion

IntroductionClimate change is a major threat

to sustainable growth & development in Africa & achievement of MDGs

CC is a growing threat to sustainable growth and poverty reduction (water resources, agric., health, ecosystems, biodiversity, forestry, coastal zones)

INTRODUCTION Cont’dCarbon emissions contributes

substantially to Climate Change80% people (500 million) south of the

Sahara depend on agriculture, mainly rain-fed agric. (>95%).

Challenges of Climate Change

Recurrent extreme weather conditions – floods, droughts & el-ninos.

Shorter and un-predictable rainy season

Poor rainfall distributionRising temperaturesProlonged dry spells

Effects of Climate ChangeRecurrent weather extremes have

resulted in reduced food production-up to 50% in 2020

Wetlands or under ground water dry earlier = low exploitation for off-season production, no irrigation

Deforestation (3.4 million hectares deforested per year in Africa)

Loss of biodiversityRising sea level washing away coastal

communities in Western African

Negative Impact of Climate Change

Reduces production i.e. crop yields & livestock production

Planting is delayed (seed dies) hence reducing production

Degradation of eco-system imparts negatively on food security and health

It increases time and effort women spend in looking for food

Loss of national resources

Negative Impact of Climate Change - Zambia

Receives 600 to above 1,200 mm rainfall

Rainy season used to be 4 – 6 months

Rainy season is 3-5 months40% of surface water in

Southern Africa lies in ZambiaPoverty levels still over 60% in

rural areas

Way forwardEfforts to cub further un-warranted

deterioration of climate should be promoted to bring it in check. Causes are known, and hence the problem is partially solved

Full implementation of ‘Clean Energy and Development Framework’

Promotion of use of renewable energyProtection of the forests (Congo Basin

Initiative) Invest in CC programmea

Causes of Climate Change

Green House Gas emissions (GHG) vs global warming

Deforestation Modern mechanized rain-fed agriculture

(extensive land clearing) Un-stainable use of natural resources

(forests, water, water sherds e.t.c.) Industrialization

Conclusion

While challenges arising from climate change are evident, it is not too late to reduce the rate at which it deteriorates

The END………

ONCE AGAIN ZIKOMO KWABIRI FOR LISTENING!!!