Nelly Bassily | October 28, 2013
Climate change is an ongoing process, as old as the Earth herself. The inhabitants of the planet have endured, or been defeated by, several ice ages or the warmings that followed them. However, what the planet seems to be experiencing now is a period of rapid global warming which many scientists believe is caused by the activities of one species: humans.
A recent story published by Farm Radio Weekly (Hit hard by changing climate, farmers choose traditional crop varieties, FRW #261, September 2013) is available here: http://weekly.farmradio.org/2013/09/23/zimbabwe-hit-hard-by-changing-climate-farmers-choose-traditional-crop-varieties-trust/
Farm Radio International is working with broadcasters to help them highlight the possible effects of climate change on farmers. Radio show helps Tanzanian farmers fight climate change (FRW #260, September 2013) tells how FRI helped the private radio station Moshi FM broadcast a program to help farmers maintain their harvests and find better markets for their produce in the face of a changing climate. You can find out more through this link: http://weekly.farmradio.org/2013/09/16/radio-show-helps-tanzanian-farmers-fight-climate-change/. FRI is also working with a radio station in northern Ghana to produce participatory radio programming on climate change adaptation. You can read more here: http://www.farmradio.org/portfolio/adapting-to-climate-change-in-northern-ghana/
Issue #89 of FRI’s Voices magazine (December 2009) is devoted to the subject of the changing climate. It is available to download via this address: http://farmradio.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Voices_89.pdf
A four-page fact sheet, Climate change in Africa – what is at stake? is available through the United Nations Environment Programme website. It can be read online through this address: http://www.unep.org/roa/amcen/docs/AMCEN_Events/climate-change/2ndExtra_15Dec/FACT_SHEET_CC_Africa.pdf
How are farmers in your listening area coping with increasing temperatures and/or unpredictable rainfall? Is access to pastureland and water proving difficult for local herders? How are sedentary farmers coping with increased competition for resources?
You could start an interesting debate in your community on what steps farmers and other local people can take to adapt to climate changes in your area. Record opinions in the fields and streets, host a panel debate, or invite listeners to take part in a poll using SMS or voice calls.