|
|
Plants will die out because of excessive water from flooding. Also, fresh water will become scarce during the dry season as the drought period will be lengthened. In Ghana where there is a shortage of good drainage systems, hot days will be more of a blessing than a problem: flooding will have a tendency to render most people in these unplanned areas homeless as they will be prone to losing most of their properties. Longer growing seasons could also increase food production in some temperate areas.
Global Warming has put increased pressure on the ecosystems of West Africa. The plants and animals that co-existed in particular climates are beginning to migrate to find new ecosystems that can support them. Warmer temperatures have already shifted the growing season in Ghana. Both the dry and wet seasons come earlier than expected. As such, migrating animals begin their journeys earlier in search of food. Since the growing season has lengthened, it is obvious that plants will need more water to keep growing or they will die out. As the growing season progresses, there are increases in daily temperatures. These temperatures are sometimes beyond the tolerance of plants and animals. Some animals must migrate to survive this harsh climate change.
Talking to some fisherfolk at the Jamestown beach, I asked why some fish species that had been sold in the market in years past were no more. Their answer was no different from what I have been discussing in this article. They confirmed that most of the species had migrated to other countries’ waters and to the deep sea because the water temperature around the Ghanaian coastline could not support their existence.
I also spoke with some hunters who confirmed that some animal species they had once hunted as game had migrated to other parts of the country or died out due to the temperature changes and bush fires. Thus species that cannot migrate or adapt to climate change face extinction. According to climate experts, an estimated 25- 35% of plant and animal species risk extinction if atmospheric temperatures keep rising in the next few years.
Another critical issue that needs to be discussed is what the global warming experts call the “greenhouse effect”. The “greenhouse effect” has received critical scrutiny because of its association with global warming, but it is important to the sustenance of life on earth. Thanks to the “greenhouse effect”, the deflection of sunlight from the earth back into space is about 30%.
The rest of the sunlight, which reaches the surface of the earth, is reflected upwards as energy called infrared radiation. This infrared radiation is carried by air currents which are absorbed by “greenhouse gases” such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone and methane. Even though the gases amount to only 1% of the planet’s atmosphere, they regularize the climate as they trap heat and hold it in something like a “warm air” blanket that surrounds the planet.
Without the “greenhouse effect” it is believed that the earth’s temperature will increase by 30 degrees. Thus, the West African ecosystem will be in jeopardy. In West Africa, human activities have changed and catalyzed the God-made “greenhouse effect” by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than we need. The result is what we are all experiencing.
The climate in West Africa has become very warm. Most vehicles in Ghana emit fumes into the atmosphere, raising the level of carbon dioxide. Research shows that about 75% of people in West Africa are farmers who use all kinds of methods in farming. Some of these farming and land usage practices increase the levels of nitrous oxide and other chemicals in the ecosystem. In addition, the activities of the small number of factories contribute to the enhancement of global warming in the sub-region.
Mention can also be made of deforestation. This occurs at high rates in West Africa. Our forests and trees protect us from the rays of the sun and use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. But they are now being logged for timber or cut down to create space for farming. There is also the issue of population growth and its contribution to the increase in the use of fuel for heat, transportation and manufacturing. This, in turn, causes an increase in greenhouse gases. To sum it all up, the increment of greenhouse gases means more infrared radiation will be trapped and held in the atmosphere. This will cause the temperatures of the earth’s surface and the atmosphere to increase.
It is clear that global warming will continue to impact life on earth in several ways. How far it will go depends on you and I. Climatic change experts have shown that the activities of humans catalyze the emission of greenhouse gases and this increases global temperatures. It is not surprising that what scientists have predicted is coming to pass. God has given as all the rules but we have chosen to do what pleases us. In the beginning, as noted in the Bible (Genesis 1: 28), He said “man should have dominion”, but our dominion has turned us into destroyers of that over which we were supposed to be “watchmen”.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
ERNEST
Ernest Asiedu Odei is currently a Volunteer Co-Director for Youth Realities Network (YOUR-NET), a Youth Development Consultant who has worked extensively on the MDGs and the GPRS 1&2. He is also student at Ghana Christian University College pursuing a Degree in Theology majoring in Youth Ministry and Christian Education. He started his Youth Development work 6years ago and has gained immense experience from his day-to-day contact with all kinds of people in the Urban and Rural Communities.
|
Comments
Wonderful write-up! Ayotunde William Okelana | Nov 27th, 2008
Reading through your write-up shows you are familiar with the terrain and the grassroot. I 'm deeply concerned about environment and very much tempted to write on environment. In fact, if I should I might be duplicating your idea. We can work more at the advocacy level. Let Ghanaian youth and young people in the West of Africa arise and save our little world.
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
