Earth Sciences

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Browsing Earth Sciences by Subject "Adaptation"

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    Combating climate change in Kenya: efforts, challenges and opportunities
    (Marsland Press, 2009) Omambia, Anne Nyatichi; Shemsanga, Ceven; Li, Yilian
    Increase in emissions of CO2 gas and other greenhouse gases (GHG) such as methane, nitrous oxide, CFC, HCFC and halogens into the atmosphere has led to the overall rise in mean global temperature over the years and the resultant climate change. Key anthropogenic activities responsible include fossil fuel combustion and land -use changes especially tropical deforestation. For developing countries such as Kenya, climate change is a threat to livelihood support systems. Kenya is currently experiencing the effect of climate change especially variation in weather patterns. Prolonged drought and famine has currently left over 10 million people faced with starvation, while floods and resurgence of pests and diseases have been noted in other parts of the country. Widespread poverty, inadequate socio-economic resources and a large climate -dependent agricultural sector makes the country vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change and ill-equipped to adapt to the long-term changes in climate. In spite of these, Kenya has embarked on various measures to mitigate climate change such as adoption of clean development mechanism, reaforestation and spread of green technology. This research focused on Kenya’s effort hitherto in combating climate change, the challenges thereon and opportunities for improvement.
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    The cost of climate change in Tanzania: impacts and adaptation
    (Marsland Press, 2010) Shemsanga, Ceven; Omambia, Anne Nyatichi; Gu, Yansheng
    In recent years, Tanzania has witnessed a number of climate related disasters namely, flooding, droughts, widespread crop failures, livestock deaths and intensification of climate sensitive diseases among others. Regular climate discussions in the country have often underestimate crucial problems related to climate change like chronic energy crisis and influx of people to urban areas arguably because of failing agriculture in farming areas. This paper has highlighted the fact that the poor, usually with limited resources and who contribute the least to the causes of climate change are the most affected in many ways. In addition, it gives a detailed account of the issues of climate change in Tanzania and explains the effects of climate variability using examples. The effects of climate change in the country are widespread and significantly interfere with agriculture, while at the same time, reducing the ability of the society to deliver services. Indigenous knowledge such as survival skills and coping mechanisms adopted by different societies in Tanzania, have been discussed in the paper. Such coping mechanisms however are overwhelmed by the impacts of climate change on the people. Different institutions including the government have taken some positive steps towards combating climate change; however the efforts done so far are insufficient. In addition, addressing climate change in Tanzania is hindered with inadequate resources, corruption and poor coordination and implementation of combating measures. Generally current climate variability in the nation is an issue of concern for all future plans and must be addressed.