Water Resources - Nefarious effects of climate change unfolded

A sub-regional workshop for journalists organised by the Global Water Partnership organisation ends today in Douala.

Journalists from countries in the Central African sub-region have been reminded that if they do not broadcast enough information to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change then the latter's nefarious effects will be disastrous in all domains of human life.

Edifying over 30 journalists on August 12, 2014 at the start of a three- day workshop in Douala, Prof. Goze Benie, a lecturer from the University of Sherbrook, Canada, said the changes are related to elements usually associated to climate such as temperature, winds and rainfall. "The greatest threat of climate change is on water resources," he revealed.

Global warming, for example, causes icebergs to defreeze and swell water bodies, thus causing floods that destroy lives and property, especially in coastal areas. Contrarily, in the Sahelian region, increased temperatures cause deforestation, scarcity of water, increased malnutrition, food insecurity, poor water quality and the promotion of illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, meningitis and malaria, amongst others.

Economically, there are lower yields in agriculture, increases in reconstruction expenditure after damage caused by rains as well as increases in public expenditure on health, social security, insurance, agricultural subsidies and education, amongst others. "You must prepare the communities and alert governments on measures to be taken to decrease the effects," Prof. Benie advised. The journalists learnt that solutions include developing renewable energy, decreasing fossil fuel consumption, promoting common transport, reducing use of air-conditioning and reducing carbon emissions.

"Through this workshop, we expect journalists to have a better understanding of challenges of climate change and water management so that they may be able to better inform and educate the masses," said the Coordinator of GWP for Central Africa (GWP CAf), Luc Claude Mamba, while opening the workshop earlier. The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an inter-governmental organisation that aids countries and regions to develop and sustainably manage their water resources around the world. GWP CAf implements the said objectives through national partnerships in the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Cameroon as well as Sao Tome and Principe.