Climate change ,21st Century Disaster What is a Disaster

A disaster is a natural or man-made event that negatively affects life, property, livelihood or industry often resulting in permanent changes to human societies

ecosystems and environments .Disasters manifest as hazards exacerbating vulnerable conditions and exceeding individuals and communities means to

survive and thrive. Most of the catastrophic disasters seen below have occurred at a specific non-enduring in the 21st century

A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard (e.g., flood, tornado, hurricane, volcanic eruption, earthquake, heat wave, or landslide). It leads to financial,

environmental or human losses. The resulting loss depends on the vulnerability of the affected population to resist the hazard, also called their resilience. Some

times the term natural has consequently been disputed because the events simply are not hazards or disasters without human involvement.

Below are some pictures illustrating some disasters in the 21st century

Floods Volcanoes Earthquakes Hurricanes Tsunamis

Avalashes Tornadoes Cyclones Bushfires Climate Change Looking at these pictures above, it is seen that ,these above mentioned disasters where witnessed in some parts of the world in the 21st century and if ,action is not taken now, we will likely have these disasters in the future.Climate Change and its impacts, challenges and adaptationsTalking on climate change ,which is one of the most disturbing disaster around the world today, terrestrial and extraterrestrial factors contribute to its existence. Various models predict significant temperature rise for the planet in the near future if action is not taken.Complex anthropogenic interactions appear to contribute cumulatively and to accelerate the on-going process of global warming .Looking at the extensive deforestation of our large surface area on the earth ,this has really contributed much in the significant changes

In the water and radiation balance of the planet.Other anthropogenic impacts in the climate include Land –originating pollution due to increase in urbanisation

and industrialisation and increase in the use of fusil fuels .Thus ,the resulting global warming and the rising sea level will have serious short and long –term

impacts in human and animal life on our planet.The effect of global warming on weather patterns may also account for an

apparent increase in the frequency and intensity of weather –related disasters.Weather-related disasters are impacting upon mankind with relentless

frequency and intensity which have taken a heavy toll in the recent years.Similarly,man –made disasters caused by chemical spills ,civil strife and

wars not only constitute a clear and ever present danger of mankind ,but may also have cumulative long-term effects on climate.All areas of the world are

affected by climate change and natural weather-related or man-made disasters;though the lesser –developed countries experience loses in human

lives and economy disaroportionate to their resources .Often ,such major natural and man-made disasters resullt in complex humanitarian emaergencies that

seriously compromise the socioeconomic developement in affected nations and regions of the globe,creating escalating demands in rapidly diminishing

international resources.

There are many speculations and theories of what will happen to our global environment as climate change continues to increase at rapid rate. Apart from changes in the ecology of the global environment, climate also leaves a print a

print on human health, for the human body is made to endure a multiple of changes in the environment. For example ,we store fat to stay warm during

colder times of the year and sweat to keep our bodies from overheating when places becomes too warm. However the human body is not meant to withstand

extreme temperatures .Like we are experiencing in some parts of the world today like in sub Sahara Africa .This mostly affects the infant and elderly populations

with weaker immune systems and body functions. such changes might result to increase in temperature worldwide resulting to an increase in mortality rate due to exhaustion and stroke. On the other hand, some places will experience longer periods of colder weather . Thus ,harsh shifts from cold to hot can be determined to the human body and cause unnecessary stress on the cardiovascular systems.

It should be noted that ,these changes will also affect both plants and crops through the most notable affect of climate change that is Precipitation . Most plants and crops grown in such highly precipitated areas will not be able to maintain their growth pattern or die out because they can not adjust to the

climate changes. This means that people and animals depending on crops for income and food will have to find an alternative.

The effects of climate change are widespread and require flexibility and commitment to address and overcome successfully.

Adaptations/Preventions and solutionsAdaptation is a process through which societies make themselves better able to cope with an uncertain future. Adapting to climate change entails taking

the right measures to reduce the negative effects of climate change ormaking use or exploit the positive effects .

In the absence of reliable predictions of future climate change ,much can nonetheless be done to minimize the impacts of climate change. Adaptive

management of water resources can be developed, reducing the emission of greenhouse-gas by making sure that we set an atmospheric carbon dioxide target that is low enough to avoid the point of no return .To achieve this ,we

must not only eliminate greenhouse-gas emission ,but also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and take urgent steps to cool the planet.Tree planting activities should be carried out widely across the nations,

regions and individual reforestation companies ,which if performed properly will result to the successful regeneration of a deforested area, and also help

reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere . Managing wastes; reducing, reusing and recycling solid waste can decrease the amount of heat –trapping

greenhouse gases you release.

Also ,Forest Restoration, that is;-Treatment; thinning and burning of smaller trees in the understory dampens the spread of wildlife ,protecting people and their homes. This improves the

health of over story trees making them better able to withstand disease, insects , and fires. As they grow in to larger ,older trees ,they become better places for

wildlife.-Repair ; restoring damaged lands through tools ,such as removing failing roads

replanting riparian areas ,and controlling and preventing spread of noxious weeds.

-Investment; Provision of reinvestment opportunities for rural communities to maintain their long-standing contribution to the forestry industry. This will

help reduce forest fragmentation and prepare ecosystems for climate change over long term, hence a good investment for future.

To conclude, developing countries which are suffering mostly from the impacts of climate change, should develop adaptation plans and able to finalize them. Like the National adaptation programs of Action of least developed countries. There is an urgency for developing countries to find ways to implement these

plans although many countries lack the resources to carry out these plans.

Adaptation is already considered as a vital part of any future climate change regime. Within the UNFCCC and the international community, deliberations

are building to find an effective means to tackle climate change, which is described by UN secretary General Ban Ki –Moon as the <defining issue of

our era>If there is delays in implementing adaptations in some of these most affected regions of climate change, and delays in financing some of the

adaptation projects, this will lead to greater disasters or dangers to more people. For example ,extreme events such as droughts, floods, etc. Hence

planning for climate change most involve consideration to related risks including those which have a slow onset, such as changes in temperature and

precipitation leading to agricultural loses ,and those which happen more suddenly such as tropical storms and floods. There is also need for capacity-

building ,education and training and public awareness .This is very important for local ,national and regional levels to enable developing

countries most especially to adapt to climate change, through their tertiary centers ,universities and centers of excellence to be recognized by

stakeholders and funders. It will also be an advantage is this program is introduced to schools. To educate future kids and youth.

Although climate change is a 21st century disaster, there are also many different disasters in the 21st century listed above which need to be prevented, prepared

and response, and adapted in order to achieve the millennium development goal MDG of the 21st century .To achieve this ,the following key areas should be tackle

by individuals, businesses, communities, countries, regions and the world at large.

-Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger-Achieve universal primary education

-promote gender equality and empower women-Reduce child mortality

-Improve Maternal Health-Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases

-Ensure Environmental sustainability

-Develop a global partnership for development.

A global environment threat (climate change) is a call for concern to the entire world.We should all stand up and face this challenge as to better our future and

the environment.

Produced by : Ekinde Ndode Standley University of Douala

Cameroon.