Features
A climate emergency or a lost cause?
“Then there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed…….every Island fled away and the mountains could not be found.” Rev 16:18-20.
As the world converges in Glasgow to focus on commitments to tackle the climate emergency, we should get a basic understanding of issues and how as individuals and communities we can make changes that may make life better. Referring to Climate Change as an emergency is an understatement; “the train already moved out of the station and we need to find a way of slowing it down and hopefully stopping it and that is no child’s play.”- Dr. Kojo Essel
In Ghana for instance we have seen Climate Change manifest in many areas including;
- Rising temperatures
- Declining rainfall total and increased variability resulting in frequent rainfall in October
- Rising sea levels
- High incidence of weather extremes and disasters
The average annual temperature has increased one degree Celsius in the last 30 years. Now superimpose this on other ills such as galamsey and you can understand how water, which is critical to our very livelihood is sometimes impossible to find and in some instances where available should not be consumed by humans. This exposes us to countless diseases, famine and nutritional challenges among several others. Are cash crops such as our very own Cocoa at risk?
Climate Change resulting from Global Warming poses huge threats to our health and very existence and we are prone to a myriad of problems including:
- Respiratory and heart diseases will be on the increase from the extreme heat. Frequent headaches from several causes, poor concentration from dehydration etc. and effects of heat stroke stare us in the face daily. Vectors of diseases such as malaria will thrive so we will have more ill people. Asthma for instance will have a field day as pollution increases.
- As some regions become drier, droughts will set in leading to a shortage of food and water. Migration will increase leading to overcrowding with all its attendant health problems such as tuberculosis.
Today I repost segments of a 2014 interview with Dr. Ama Essel a Climate Change expert.
KCE: What does climate change involve and is there an immediate danger?
AE: Any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period. (Decades or longer).
It may also be described as change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods. Many years of human activities are to be blamed and these include:
- Burning of fossil fuels (charcoal, coal, and oil), deforestation, desertification, agricultural activities, transportation, urbanisation, waste management, bush burning and industrialisation.
Climate change threatens the basic elements of life such as access to food, water, shelter and clean air – which in turn severely impacts human health. Decisions on responding to climate change need to put health at the centre.
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
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Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
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