CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION

Climate change is a global phenomenon with resultant local trends and impacts. The whole world now experience the impacts of climate change. The reports from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of 1990 to 2007 evaluate and show the reality of climate change and its impacts. The worldwide industrial development cause a massive emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The natural greenhouse gases effects, combined with major land use changes and some natural climate variability has led to the climate change.

Greenhouse gases includes Carbon dioxide, Methane, carbon monoxide, Nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbon. Those greenhouse gases emission in great extent are associated with Human activities. Human activities include agriculture, mining, industrial activities, transportation are the cause of climate change. Burning of forest, bushes and wastes emit carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Other greenhouse gases include Methane which caused by the agricultural activities; carbon monoxide caused by the transportation activities; Nitrous oxide which caused by the use of pesticides; and chlorofluorocarbon which caused by the use of refrigerator.

The impacts of climate change is seen and its impacts are massive. Low level of economic development, poor investment in research, weak infrastructures and non-diversified economies make poor at more risk. This reduce adaptive capacity and resilience of poor people to cope and respond to the impact of climate change. Development sectors include agriculture, mining, health and water supply are being affected by climate change.

Sea level change in Indian Ocean is caused by climate change. In Tanzania the effects sea level rise is already being experienced in the Bagamoyo district of the coastal region. The traditional water sources in an area have been inundated by sea level change which result in salinization of shallow water wells which is the only source of domestic water supply. As an impact the situation led to lack of reliable safe drinking water to rural community, women have to walk very long distance to fetch water and some houses they forced to set up a budget for buying water.

Drought problem now is global issue. In Tanzania regions like Shinyanga, Dodoma and Singida are top in the list of drought stricken areas in Tanzania. Shortage of rain has become a main cause of crop failure result in food insecurity in a number of regions and districts. Almost 37 districts in the country faced a problem of food shortage.

The glacier retreat and change of vegetation on the slope of Mt. Kilimanjaro also indicates that climate is changing. At past the dense forest of the mountain used to cause water flows in a number of rivers originated from the mountain which form the large Pangani river basin which comprise hydroelectric powers stations include Nyumba ya Mungu and Hale. Due to climate change the water flow now days is low resulting in causing low production of electricity the stations.

The increase of global temperature from 0.3 to 0.6 over last 100 years cause the increase of diseases. Malaria, skin cancer and plant diseases is now a global case even in areas which did not experience such diseases. Areas like Tanga, Kagera, Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions, Malaria was not very pronounced in the past but due to climate change the trend of Malaria is increasing.

Those problems will not remain only in those areas but it will spread all over the world and cause massive impacts. The sea level change will affect all coastal areas include Mtwara, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Malaria and other related diseases will be the big case. Drought problem will spread everywhere, and the problem of energy insufficient will be in great extent. All we need to do is to adapt now. There are various adaption options which can be undertaken in order to cope with the climate condition, includes;

The use of drought resistant crops. The use of drought tolerant crops like millet and sorghum is very important in adapting to the climate change. These crops can sustain in dry season and hence reduce the problem of food scarcity.

Crop rotation and intercropping. Mixing and changing of crops in the farm from one season to another helps in combating soil erosion and drought. Farmer must use those two methods to minimize the effect of climate change in agriculture.

Water resources management. All water resources include groundwater, rivers and lakes must be conserved and managed well. It also involve the better use of water and methods of water harvesting. Rainwater can be collected and be reused again for garden, irrigation and for livestock. The better application of water resource management will ensure the availability of water during drought season.

Provision of education. Government and other institutions by through media, newspapers, magazine, conferences, meetings and workshops can provide education to the people about climate change. Skills and knowledge can be gain through education and hence people can develop and take measures towards adapting climate change.

Implementing risk reduction strategies. We must improve our river banks, coastal areas, develop land use planning and enhancing conservation programs. This will reduce the risk of climate change in the development sector.

Engaging in conducting research. Research will help in knowing better about climate change and innovation of new adaption options, in which the new technologies will be available. And the better research must consist various multi sectors collaborating with local communities.

The impacts of climate change will be great if we will not adapt now. The best way to achieve the better adaptation to climate change is through the good cooperation and working together between government and community to improve the ability of the people to cope with or respond to the impacts of climate change. We have to wake up now the climate is changing, and the best way on adapting on it is for the community to be given the chance to be involved in adaptation planning and decision making process associated with all adaptation activities. And the community must full involve on it since are their activities which will be impacted badly.