Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and other atmospheric conditions in a particular region over many years.
On the other hand, climate change refers to long term alteration of global weather patterns, including changes in temperature, precipitation and wind patterns that have occurred over many decades and are largely attributed to human activities.
Uganda like other developing countries is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change towards the youths in the following ways;
Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Uganda is one of the countries that are experiencing the impacts of climate change, and the youth are among the most affected. Climate change impacts such as extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and water scarcity are having adverse effects on the livelihoods, education and health of the youth in Uganda.
Another impacts of climate change on youth in Uganda is the loss of education opportunities. Extreme weather events such as floods and landslides are causing damage to school buildings, making it difficult for students to attend classes. For example, in March 2020, floods destroyed several schools in the eastern part of Uganda, affecting over 1,000 students. The loss of education opportunities can have long-term effects on the youth’s future prospects, limiting their ability to secure employment and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Additionally, climate change is affecting the health of the youth in Uganda. Rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are increasing the prevalence of diseases such as malaria, which is one of the leading causes of death among children under five years of age. A study by the World Health Organization found that the incidence of malaria is likely to increase in areas of Uganda that were previously free of the disease. This increased incidence of malaria can lead to increased absenteeism from school and poor academic in school.
Furthermore, climate change is affecting the livelihoods of the youth in Uganda. Agriculture is a significant source of income for many households in Uganda, and climate change impacts such as prolonged droughts and floods are affecting crop yields. This has a direct impact on the income earned by households, making it difficult for them to provide for their families’ basic needs such as food and education. The youth, who are often the most vulnerable, are most affected by the loss of income and therefore not able to support their siblings
Finally, climate change is affecting the mental health of the youth in Uganda. The fear of uncertain future and the loss of livelihoods and education opportunities are causing anxiety and depression among the youth. A study by the Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change found that climate change is likely to cause an increase in mental health problems globally, with the youth being the most affected people.
In conclusion, climate change is having adverse effects on the youth in Uganda, impacting their education, health, livelihoods, and mental well-being and many others
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN UGANDA
Climate crisis is one of the major threats to Uganda’s sustainable development and efforts to end poverty. The country has experienced increased adverse weather patterns such as prolonged drought, landslides, floods, and irregular rain and dry season sequences. However, there are some innovative solutions to address the climate crisis in Uganda as explained below: –
To address these impacts, there are several innovative solutions that can be implemented in Uganda. One such solution is to promote sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change. This can include practices like agroforestry, which involves planting trees alongside crops to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion. Other practices like crop diversification and water harvesting can also help to reduce the impact of droughts and floods on crops. for example, the Kikandwa Environmental Association, promotes agroforestry and sustainable land use practices to small hold farmers. The organization has assisted to improve soil fertility, increase crop yields, and reduce deforestation in the area.
Another innovative solution to the climate crisis in Uganda is the use of renewable energy. Uganda’s electricity sector is dominated by hydropower, which is susceptible to changes in rainfall patterns. promoting renewable energy. The government has set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix 60% by 2030. An example of this is the Soroti Solar Plant, the largest solar power plant in East Africa. The 10-megawatt plant has been supplying electricity to over 40,000 households in the region since 2016, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to climate change mitigation. The country has several large rivers that could be harnessed to generate electricity with a potential capacity of up to 5,300MW. The government has already invested in several hydroelectric projects, including the Isimba and Karuma dams, which have a combined a capacity of 780MW. These projects have helped to increase access to electricity in the country and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Furthermore, there is a need for innovative solutions to promote sustainable transport in Uganda. Transport is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and Uganda’s transport sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. To address this, is promoting the use of electric vehicles and bicycles, as well as improving public transport infrastructure. For instance, the Kampala Clean Mobility Hub, a project launched in 2020 to promote the use of electric vehicles and bicycles in the city. Another example is the Kasese Electric Bicycle Project, which was launched in 2019 to promote the use of electric bicycles in town of Kasese. The project provided residents with training and resources to build their own electric bicycles, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and increasing access to affordable transport. The project has been successful in reducing air pollution and improving mobility in the town.
Another solution is tree and grass planting to trap emissions from growing municipal motor traffic and municipal garbage incineration.
Furthermore, promoting the use of energy saving technologies such as cookstoves, biogas digesters, and solar systems will help to reduce the reduce the demand for wood fuel and mitigate forest degradation.
Fostering the use of innovative climate technology such as smart agriculture, early warning systems, water harvesting and management, and low-carbon transport can also help to mitigate the climate crisis in Uganda.
Lastly, supporting innovators and advocates who are developing climate solutions such as biodegradable packaging materials, organic fertilizers, clean energy products, and climate education campaigns can also help to address the climate crisis in Uganda. Summarily, these solutions are contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as creating new economic opportunities and improving livelihoods. With continued investment and collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector, Uganda can become a model for sustainable development and climate action in Africa and beyond.1
NAME: OLOWO ALFRED
SCHOOL: LANGO COLLEGE.
CLASS: SENIOR TWO RHINO.
COUNTRY: UGANDAN.
- REERENCES.
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. [2020]. Uganda’s Renewable Energy Policy Retrieved from
https://www.energyandminerals.go.ug/data/dnews/13/UGANDA%20RENEWABLE%ENE RGY%20POLICY.pdf
Soroti Solar Power Plant. [n.d.]. About the Project. Retrieved from https://www.sorotisolar.com/about-the-project/
Kikandwa Environmental Association. [n.d.]. What We Do. Retrieved from https://kikandwa.org/what-we-do/
World Resources Institute. [2020]. Kampala’s Clean Mobility Hub; From zero to 100 EVS in a
Year. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/11/Kampala-Clean-Mobility-Hub-zero100-evs-year
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. [2017]. National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy. Retrieved from
https://www.energyandminerals.go.ug/data/dnews/3/NATIONAL%20RENEWABLE%20E NERGY%20AND%20EFFICIENCY%20POLICY.pdf.
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the Unite Nations.(2011). Women in Agriculture: closing the gender gap for development. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/3/i 2050e/i2050e00.html
Uganda Women’s Tree Planting Programme. (n.d). About us. Retrieved fromhttps://www.uwtp.org.ug/about us/
Deutsche Gesellschaft fir Internationale Zusammenarbeit.(2020). Kasese Electric Bicycle.
Government of Uganda. (2018). Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy. Retrieved from
https://www.nema.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Uganda-Green-Growth-Development-
Strategy-2018.pdf
International Institute for Sustainable Development. (2019). Climate Resilience for Youth in
https://www.iisd.org/library/climate-resilience-youth-uganda
Uganda. Retrieved from
Uganda Youth Climate Coalition. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from
https://www.ugandayouthclimatecoalition.com/about-us
United Nations Development Programme. (2019). Climate Resilience in Uganda: Young People
Leading the Way. Retrieved from
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/stories/climate-
resilience-in-uganda–young-people-leading-the-way.html
World Health Organisation ↩︎
