Deadly climate change is happening right now and right here in Africa
Must they face a destiny of being wiped out by devastating changes in weather patterns
Photo: Des Willie/ActionAid
Even with all the stand-offs, mistrust and sharp differences of opinion on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that continue to mar this year’s climate summit in Durban, some of the people who are directly affected by climate changes are not losing hope.
They are the farmers and pastoralists who have been affected by the drought crisis in East Africa. They are telling their stories on how climate change has affected their livelihoods.
Mark Diba (31) has lived all his life in Kargi village Marsabit district in the northern part of Kenya. A former successful pastoralist who had over 400 cattle, he is a witness to the challenges brought by changes in weather patterns across the district in recent years.
Before the long droughts in 2009 to 2011, I enjoyed social prestige because of the cattle in my livestock shed. The long dry spell attacked the grass, our water sources and later had a big impact on our only source of our livelihood: livestock
His words are echoed by another caravanite, 50 year-old Esther Gakogo. She is a widow eking out a living by running a small shop selling small foodstuffs. She is a victim of climate change impacts around the expansive semi-arid division of Makima in Mbeere district
When I got married, my husband and I had 500 cows and the soil on our 10 acres of farm was very fertile. However, the drying up of the reliable water sources and the eventual wilting of the once green grass in the area has eaten into my herd. As we speak, I am bitter to proclaim that I only have 5 cows left and my once fertile land has become dusty and rocky.
To feed the remaining herds, Mark Diba has to trek for about 40 kilometers every day to the nearest hill with green grass and a fresh water source.
"The cattle have to be driven for about 40 kilometers every day to wells dug by a humanitarian organization near Chalbi Desert. The distance sucks the life out of our remaining herd", Mark Diba says
But even there, it is not an easy life. There are constant wars between communities sharing the wells.
Mark tells me that pastoralists have been able to cope with unpredictable weather patterns and regular drought over centuries. But lately his livelihood and livestock are threatened by the extreme climate changes.
I wish the decision makers would realize that the damage caused by climate change is not a distant concern in Africa. It’s right here with us – and it will continue to be with us if they don’t start taking action.
Marsabit in Northern Kenya, which was once a fertile place, has been reduced to a dry, dusty and rocky place with people relying entirely on relief food. This is a reality for all those who, like Mark Diba, have been forced to abandon their traditional lifestyles to diversify into other means of survival like planting of khat which in itself affects their food security.
Mark Diba and Esther Gakogo are just two among millions of people in developing countries - and particularly in Africa - who bear the brunt of global warming right now. They represent people who most likely face a destiny of being wiped out by devastating changes in weather patterns (commonly referred to as global warming).
They are a part of a generation faced with the elimination of their great grand fathers' way of life, a way of life that has sustained them for thousands of years.
They are the victims of world climate change.
As climate change activists, farmers, policy makers and government ministers are in Durban for this year’s COP17 meeting, Mark Diba and Esther Gakogo can only hope that this year’s meeting will not be a sham like the previous meetings.
They hope that actions from their leaders will go beyond mere words.