The pictures from Northern Kenya of dead and dying cattle, of grasslands turned to desert and of destitute farmers have filled our television screens again this week. The scientific evidence shows that scenes like these are going to become more frequent due to climate change. It reminded me of conversations I’d had this summer working alongside a young Kenyan student, Gregory Akall.
While Greg was in Wales studying for a Masters in Journalism, he talked to Oxfam about life in his home area; the very same area now being devastated by drought. Listening to him speaking calmly and incredibly clearly about the impacts of climate change on his own community even has greatly affected me and others who heard him speak.
Greg also said that international action on climate change is the only way to make long-term difference to the lives of his fellow people. For this to happen, major carbon polluters must slash their emissions. However, people living in poverty, like the people of Northern Kenya, need help now to adapt to the stark realities of climate change.
But the big noise we can all make together, to really make people notice, comes on December 5 when people all over the world will march to let the world leaders gathered in Copenhagen know the score: a deal must be done that’s fair and safe for the poorest people in the world. When I march on the streets of London as part of The Wave, I’ll remember Greg and his message of urgency.
Find out more about people like Greg who are already being impacted by climate change.
Find out more about how Oxfam is responding to the current Food Crisis in East Africa.
Tags: 100 days, Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, un
[...] Climate change scientists say northern Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia can expect more extreme weather events like this. Later this month heavy rains associated with El Nino are expected, but they may not improve the pasture so much as cause erosion by flooding. [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 1:00 pm