Report: Economy at risk of climate change

By Peter Orengo

Climate change has affected all sectors of the economy, according to UN and research findings.

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

The bad news is that the climate imbalance will persist and Kenyans had better get used to it.

The report, which was presented by Prof George Krhoda who led the study, from Nairobi University, at an environmental stakeholders’ forum ahead of the Copenhagen conference, which is under way.

Periodic floods

Another study done by the Stockholm Environmental Institute for UKAid’s Department of International Development, Kenya is now exposed to periodic floods and droughts.

The frequency and severity of weather events have been witnessed in northern Kenya. Poverty and vulnerability in the arid lands means the capacity to adopt is low, while traditional mechanisms of survival are almost wiped out. Krhoda says that as a result of global warming, floods will increase culminating in water, agriculture, food security and energy crisis.

Globally, the study indicates the average temperature had increased by 0.2_C, since the late 19th century. This was followed with increased land precipitation in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, while there have been sea level rise as melted snow/ice flows into oceans.

In Kenya, there has been increased frequency of extreme weather phenomena like El Nino and droughts. The result has seen an upsurge of incidences of diseases such as malaria.

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

Wildlife habitats

Hydrological variability was blamed for economic losses due to floods and droughts. The impact of these variables is alteration of wildlife habitats and landscapes, affecting wildlife.

Krhoda said these effects would affect wildlife migration such as the wildebeest and birds. He said the world would have to live with global warming hence the need to consult on the right measures to be taken.

"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 and Sh52 billion in power outages," He added.

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

"To correct the scenario, the Government is working towards developing a comprehensive climate change policy and a full-budgeted national climate change response investment framework," Lenayapa said.

"Mobilising stakeholders to invest in growing trees will be pursuing the right track towards combating climate change," the PS said.