By Peter Orengo

Effects of climate change threaten every sector of the economy, a new study found out.

From agriculture, tourism, transport, health, water and environment, scientific evidence gathered by the University of Nairobi and the United Nations Development Programme links water shortages, energy crisis and famine to climate change.

The bad news is that the climate imbalance being witnessed will persist.

Prof George Krhoda of the University of Nairobi, who led the study presented the report at a stakeholders’ forum in Nairobi ahead of the Copenhagen conference in December.

He said as a result of global warming, heavy and persistent floods would increase. Globally, the study indicates that the average temperature had increased by 0.2_C since the late 19th century.

In Kenya there have been increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena like El Nino and droughts. The result has seen an upsurge in incidences of diseases such as malaria in places the diseases were unheard of.

The study says that while 86 per cent of water resources are surface water, only two-fifths of Kenya is endowed with water resources. But per capita water storage capacity over the years had fallen from 11.4m3 in 1969 to 4.3m3 in 1999, equivalent to 60m3 per capita.

Water scarcity also moved from 1850m3 per capita in 1969 to 637m3 in 2000 to 470m3 per capita in 2010. Hydrological variability was blamed for economic losses due to floods and droughts.

He said these would affect wildlife migration and in-turn affect the tourism industry. Krhoda said the world would have to live with global warming hence the need to consult on the right measures.

"Kenya is vulnerable to climate change given its low capacity to respond and adapt," Krhoda said.

"In 1997/8 El Nino, Kenya lost Sh66 billion in transport damage, Sh52 billion in power outages. Increase in tropical cyclone, damages and loss of life and increased rainfall may lead to an increase in diseases like Rift Valley Fever and malaria," he added.

Environment Ministry PS Laurence Lenayapa said Kenya is challenged on climate change mitigation due to lack of laws to address climate change.