Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) assistant programmes coordinator Aaron Mtaya has expressed optimism on the adaptation and mitigation of climatic change if the communities are conversant with the climatic justice models.
The observation comes after a series of interface meetings with communities from Traditional Authority (T/A) Chapananga in Chikwawa where people expressed ignorance on the causes of climatic change that have led to excessive environmental shocks like prolonged droughts and erratic rains, among others.
Sitting under a mango tree to catch fresh air, village head Chaleka uttered disappointment with the gap that exists between those that contribute to environmental damage and the poor that suffer most the consequences.
He said his area is at the moment heavily hit by hunger as the crops they grew in the 2018/19 growing season were washed away with floods and currently the area has not received any rains to plant their crops.
“Besides that, we are unable to practice winter cropping as the rivers dried fast due to the dry-spells giving us no chance to replant other crops through irrigation,” said Chaleka.
He indicated that these factors have led people to abandon caring of tree nurseries and seek piece works in Mozambique.
“The trekking of people into the neighbouring country is putting pressure on the reclamation of lost environment as there are no people to raise and manage newly planted trees. The communities are committed to reclaim the environment, but incentives are crucial as it is difficult to work on empty stomachs,” added Chaleka.
In his remarks, Miyowe Community Based Organisation’s Jacob Romance echoed the chief’s sentiments saying government and other stakeholders interested in environmental conversation should create mechanisms to soothe the pains that the poor are bearing as a result of climate change.
“Let us remember that the poor are in majority and suffering the most due to the climatic injustices that are happening globally. Also, we should remember that the poor cause little damage but suffer the most.
“As a country, we shall be accountable to anything that will affect the poor if the gap is not filled accordingly. We are committed to reclaim the plundered environment,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, Mtaya told the communities not to give up in the efforts of tree planting saying the challenge they face today will turn into thick forests someday.
“The communities should also invest in smart agriculture and other environmental-friendly agricultural activities as they are waiting for justice in the climatic injustices hampering the global village,” he said.
Cadecom is implementing the climate Challenge Programme Malawi (CCPM) in Zomba, Machinga, Balaka and Chikwawa with support from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) through Troicaire.
Source: The Nation Online_December 19, 2019_by Holyce Kholowa-Correspondent