log100509

On the homepage

Scanners

Full-body scanners headed for MSP

Out There

Gas lines

10 years later, same fire, anger

Club Outdoors

Behind closed doors

Home | Opinion Exchange | Commentary

Reality of climate change

By CATHRINE ZIYOMO

Last update: October 5, 2009 - 12:14 PM

Print this story

Follow Opinion Exchange on Twitter

REALITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE

To see its effect, look at Zimbabwe

To many people, the reality of climate change may seem far removed. It can mean that summer is not as hot or winter is not as cold. For those in the developing world, it can mean something much bigger. In Zimbabwe, it can mean that people don't have enough to eat or lack the ability to produce enough to earn a living. I know because I am from Zimbabwe studying plant sciences at the University of Minnesota so I can help my country sustain itself in the face of climate change.

In Zimbabwe, the change in the climate has given farmers a short, unreliable and unpredictable rainy growing season, bringing frequent droughts over the last 10 years. Because the economy relies on rain-fed agriculture, this roller-coaster ride has hurt those whose lives depend on a small piece of family land and rely solely on rainfall for all their water needs. The rains have been confined to three months a year, resulting in severe thunderstorms and floods. Then it gets dry, leaving crops to wither because of a lack of water.

The recent shifts in the rainfall patterns have made it difficult for farmers to plan on which crops to grow. The unpredictability in the timing and duration of the drought brings stress on crops, reducing yields, and even sometimes even means that crops die before producing anything. Farmers find it very difficult to part with their yearly savings to buy fertilizers and herbicides when there is a chance the crop will be wiped out by drought. This environment makes farming riskier than a weekend in Las Vegas for people who have little to gamble with.

This change in rainfall patterns has not only affected agriculture, but has a negative impact on the social fabric of communities. Most people who depend on work on farms or plantations in the villages cannot find employment.

So when crops are failing they migrate to the cities and leave their families behind, resulting in family disintegration and overcrowded cities. Women are left to take care of the children, while the men try to get employment in the cities. But because many jobs in the cities were dependent on agriculture, it has also been very difficult for people to get employment in the cities. The result is high unemployment and a lack of food for everyone.

The bottom line is that there is no security without food security. Because of these climate shifts, people in southern Africa and around the world cannot rely on food sources or even ways to earn a living. If we fail to act to stop climate change, crops will have to be produced in even more marginal conditions.

U.S. policymakers have a great opportunity to make a real difference by supporting urgent government action on climate change. I hope they will use the opportunity to pass a climate bill so that we can slow the effects of global warming and show the rest of the world that they are committed to ending this crisis.

U.S. action on climate change will show the world that policymakers in the United States care about the neediest and are committed to stopping this worldwide threat to peace and stability.

CATHRINE ZIYOMO, ZIMBABWE

Recent Commentary stories

Google roundup: Hear, hear, for standing up against evil - October 5, 2009

Google roundup: Hear, hear, for standing up against evil - Google may not win its fight against the Chinese government, but bless it for trying. More

Comment on this story | Read all 28 comments | Hide reader comments

About Opinion Exchange

Opinion Exchange is produced by the Editorial Department, which is dedicated to hosting the discussion on a range of issues of interest to Star Tribune readers online and in print. In its new format, it's our hope that Opinion Exhange will create a more dynamic dialogue between Star Tribune readers and the Editorial Board. Many individual posts will be written and signed by members of the Editorial Board and will reflect their own opinions. Daily editorials will continue to represent the institutional voice of the newspaper and be researched and written by the Editorial Department, which is independent of the newsroom.

Subscribe to RSS|Learn more about RSS