There is need for urgent response to the rising temperature
ganda should therefore be alert of what will happen next and have disaster preparedness to tackle the weather patterns, we should not wait to be like the neighboring country south Sudan which shut down schools.
By Olive Atuhaire
On 17th March, 2024,the media reported that schools in southern Sudan have been closed due to the extreme heat waves. Joseph Africano Bartel undersecretary in the ministry of environment and forestry added that climate change is becoming phenomenon in which south Sudan will be experiencing more temperature fluctuation which is unfortunate.
This should be awake up call for our country Uganda because according to the experts, it is noted that the country is experiencing a higher than normal temperature of above 30 degree Celsius and the daily temperature in Kampala is between 28 and 29 degrees which is expected to higher anytime. Uganda should therefore be alert of what will happen next and have disaster preparedness to tackle the weather patterns, we should not wait to be like the neighboring country south Sudan which shut down schools.
According to BBC news, heat waves have become more frequent and more intense across almost every area on earth since the 1950s due to climate change and South Sudan is the latest in a long line of African countries to experience blistering and in many cases, record-breaking heat and El Niño a natural weather phenomenon has been a big driver factor disrupting the weather patterns and drive up temperatures.
Additionally, it is noted that Meteorologists across the world have been documenting an increasing number of temperature extremes since 2023 and it being the world’s hottest year on record, countries were warned to prepare for hotter nights and days but most of them took it for granted.
We to actively participate in global efforts to handle this current heat situation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power and implement energy efficiency measures to reduce emissions from burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes. We need also to continue investing in research, innovation and technology development to improve on the advancements in renewable energy, carbon capture technologies and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce on the heat that is worsening climate change and impacting on people’s lives
Additionally, educating the public about heat related risks to plant trees and restore degraded forests such as Bugoma forest that is being degraded among others can help increase vegetation cover which provides shade and cools the environment through evapotranspiration.
Therefore, the most effective way to reduce the frequency and severity of alarming heat and building resilience to climate change impacts is to combine efforts from government authorities, civil society organizations, the private sectors and local communities to effectively address the complex challenges posed by extreme heat in the country to help improve on people’s standards of living through transitioning to renewable energy that is clean and favorable to climate change, practice reforestation, wetland conservation and management and promote climate resilient agriculture
Olive Atuhaire, is a research associate
