But climate change is seen as an additional socio-economic burden but yet overlooked in the sustainable development strategies.
Ghana urgently has to take serious interventions now to mainstream climate concerns in development planning so that the effort of climate change on people is significantly reduced for our generation and generation unborn.
In 2007 floods demonstrated how climate change undermines development investments with 317000 people affected, 1000 km of roads destroyed, 210 schools and 45 health facilities damaged, 630 drinking water facilities damaged or contaminated. Emergency funding cost about US$25 Million.
Ghana’s coastal zones are essential to the economy with five large cities and significant infrastructure could be vulnerable to flooding.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the Ghanaian economy. Small scale farmers who rely on rain for their crops account for 80% of our domestic agricultural production and are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
As has always been the case, a colourful event was put to commemorate Ghana’s Independence Day, and to reflect on how far we have come, and the possibilities that are ahead of us on 6thMarch. This year’s event will however be reminded largely not for the usual beauty and outstanding display, but rather unfortunately, that the event was almost marred by a rainstorm. Yes, a rainstorm! A rainstorm in early March? As far as the geography experts tell us, that heavy rains do not show up until mid May. What has changed then? You may ask, and the answer is not farfetched. The climate is changing, or more precisely, has changed!
If for whatever reason, some people ever thought the climate change crusade is a mere populist attempt by a group of people, then now is the time to rethink that position. The rainstorm on the 6th of March this year is a clear indication that climate change is real, and we can no longer behave like Ostriches, pretending it doesn’t exist.
In fact, it reminds us that we need as a matter of urgency, a bold, concerted, deliberate climate change combating and adaptation strategy.
In the President of Ghana-His Excellency John Dramani’s own words on that day “…today’s rainfall also tells us something. We have heard the words climate change mentioned over and over again. It has not been normal for rainstorm like this to happen at this time of the year – early in March.
One would have thought that the harmattan weather would still be in control. So what it means, as we have always been told is that we must implement climate change adaptability” The footprint of climate change is all around us. Floods and other effects of climate change seem to worsen each passing year, with its resultant loss of lives and property.
Government of Ghana declared a state of emergency in Northern Ghana in the year 2009 after a devastating flood hit the area which led to the loss of 32 lives, and affected 260,000 rural poor people. The destruction of sea defense walls and the resultant loss of coastal lands to the sea,especially in the Ada areas due to rising sea levels, and other disasters have plagued us, and rather unfortunately, the most affected are the rural poor.
Ghana does not have an early warning system that informs us of a possible disaster so we could prepare and prevent it but only wait for it to happen and then put in an appropriate responsive action which could be too late to avoid loss of lives and property.
Though Ghana developed the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in 2011, it doesn’t seem to have reflected in our attitude towards the issue of climate change.
Fifth of June is World Environment Day, and the important question to ask is, ‘what gains have we made as a country?’… Your guess is as good as mine. The inconvenient truth is that, we don’t have the necessary political will needed to win the climate change battle.
Interestingly, it did not come as a surprise that, the two leading political parties in the country did not have any specific and strategic policy approach to minimize the effects of climate change, foster adaptability, and finally, put stringent measures in place to minimize climate change causing human activities such as continues land degradation and deforestation, fumes from rickety vehicles with weak engines and the importation and use of used electric appliances which release more harmful chemicals such as carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbon into the atmosphere clearly spelt out in their 2012 manifestoes .
Ghana’s theme for this year’s World Environment Day is “Raise your voices, not the sea level” and I dare say that, we need to raise our political will and action as well, instead of paying ‘lip service’ to the subject of climate change.We can join our voices to the call for a more concerted pragmatic approach to Climate
Change adaptability.
We may play our advocacy role as citizens and environmental advocacy groups, but without political will, we will continue to experience the increasing dangers of Climate Change. Now is the time to hold political leadership and policy makers to the task, now is the time to demand action from political leadership to address climate change.
Ghana has the international accolade of a ‘star in Africa’. So much that our former president .His Excellency John AgyekumKuffour was named UN Envoy on climate change to assist in engaging Heads of State and Government around the world in order to mobilize political will and action, and raise ambition in advance of the 2014 Climate Summit that he is hosting in New York on 23 September 2014.
President Obama has received commendation for pushing for the Climate Change Agenda. In September 2009 he said that if the international community will not act swiftly to deal with climate change’ we will risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.The security and stability of each nation and all its people –our prosperity,our health and our safety are all in jeopardy and the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.
In the State of the Union address for example, specific action plan such as a 17% carbon emission cut from 2005 by 2020. This will include measures such as shifting from coal –based power generation to solar and natural gas production
Although developing countries like Ghana has a commendable climate change programme with a national climate change policy in place,very little progress has been demonstrated by political parties to show case how practically they will deal with the issues of climate change. As far back as 2010 when we had a national climate change committee,chaired by the current president when he was the vice president,no single line of how their action will reduce emissions that causes climate change reflected in the 2012 manifesto of his party nor the main opposition party.
In Ghana there is less domestic political pressure. Whilst there is strong international commitment and influence on the content and process of policies on climate change in Ghana and recognition by governments past and present, there is very little linkage with poverty levels as a result of climate change on agriculture, forestry, fisheries etc.
In fact, research indicates that there is a strong linkage between economic development and climate change.
For example, on 26 October 2011,flooding in Accra estimated to cost insurance companies about US$20Million
The NDPC 2011 Ghana’s Shared growth development agenda shows that Climate change presents a threat and an opportunity to us.
It could derail our development when investments in hospitals, schools, farms etc are all destroyed as result of flooding or drought leading to migration. These put stress on national budgets and resources such as NHIS.
The opportunities also abound as a result of the effects of climate change. There is opportunity for companies, individuals to engage in mitigation actions such as tree planting, establishment of eco- friendly homes and estates, operations of mass transport systems, smart agriculture, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that are focused on combating climate change. There are funds available through the National Appropriate Mitigation Action funds, Global Environment fund, DFID, UN-REDD+ etc.
Rainy season has become unpredictable and when it rains, the precipitation is far less than it used to be .
More drought means less rice, less vegetables and a recipe for conflicts because people are hungry.
Relief and rehabilitation efforts reduce substantially, development budgets, lost properties of victims of natural disasters, health-water borne diseases as a result of flooding, less number of fish caught by fishermen all affect our livelihood.
The 4th assessment report of the IPCC confirms that African Countries are likely to suffer most from the negatives of climate change because they have the least capacity to adapt to climate change which is a recipe to less development.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency across the country has observed that between 1960 and 2000 (40 years period), there is a progressive and discernible rise in temperature and a decrease in rainfall in all agro-ecological zones in the country.
Sea levels are predicted to rise 5.5cm, 16.5cm and 34.5 cm by 2020, 2050 and 2080 respectively.
Climate change has a phenomenal impact on sustainable development plans,life and livelihoods in Ghana. It is a development issue. Floods,drought continue to erode the modest gains made by poverty reduction programmes that have been pursued for many years.It is estimated that 80% of the disasters in Ghana are thought to be climate related –flooding,drought pests,diseases outbreak,wind storms and extreme weather events contribute to climate change.
In addition to that, increased sea surface temperatures, and changes in coastal processes, such as nutrient upwelling and seabed sedimentation, could have significant effects on our fisheries and aquaculture systems.
More so, in the area of agriculture and primary production.
Climate change may affect crops and livestock, depending on their tolerance to increase maximum and minimum temperatures, moisture availability and tolerance of water stress, changes in exposure to pests, impacts of storms, and elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide. Climate change could also have indirect social and economic effects, as regional and international markets respond to climate change.
The forests are also affected by the climate change. Future forest productivity will depend in part on the balance between the benefits of increased carbon dioxide concentrations, and the patterns of change in rainfall and temperature.
In health, the negative effect of climate change is grievous; climate change may have wide-ranging effects on human health. There is concern over the direct effects of higher summer temperatures and heatwaves; increased risk of respiratory problems, water quality issues for drinking water; and higher levels of food- and water-borne disease.
But, the good news is that the ordinary Ghanaian can do a simple and some basic things to save our planet and the effects of climate change. Simply walking to work or joining the bus or use of a bicycle or sharing a car with a colleague, unplugging computers, TV’s and other electrical equipment if they are not being used, greening our surroundings by planting trees and turning down the air condition are easy and possible actions that will ensure we develop as a nation and not destroy the planet for future generations.
At the decision making level, some practices can be employed. Firstly, avoidance of duplication of climate change adaptation programmes and encourage more involvement of all stakeholders and the creation of a one stop shop for climate change issue in the National Climate Change Committee level that champion a common agenda
Secondly, capacity building efforts such as training of the media in its reporting, training scientist, having an early warning system in place
Thirdly, continueing of international collaborations such as REDD+process and NAMAs.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting and Verification (MRV) are imperative. There is the need for an MRV because it will ensure international support for Climate change programmes. Available programmes are ongoing according to an agreed plan and there are concrete reports on emission targets being met.
Mechanisms need to be put in place by the government to facilitate public participation and access to information, Resource Responsible Agencies such as EPA, MESTI and legislature and implement an early warning system.
Again, Ghana does not have an early warning system that informs us of a possible disaster so we could prepare and prevent it but only wait for it to happen and then put in an appropriate responsive action which could be too late to avoid loss of life and property.
Finally Ghana-a developing country must come out with innovative ideas on how to combat climate change so we can receive funding for projects that will impact on the economy
In conclusion, let us continue the Climate Change dialogue; Lets foster non-partisan, non-political strategic initiatives and action plans to fight climate change, we can win the battle, but it needs political will to set the agenda and support actions by the private sector in implementing climate change related programmes to boost our economy and prevent possible disaster-a win-win situation.
[The author is CEO of Institute Of Green Growth Solutions, an independent policy think tank that believes in achieving development in a green way].
SHARE THIS POST
SOURCE;MYJOYOLINE
No comments:
Post a Comment