By Daniel Karibwije

Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are a sign that climate change is real. The UN Conference of the Parties (COP26), which was in Glasgow is a drive to scale back on bad practices that increase greenhouse gas emissions and cause a combination of extreme droughts and floods.

Uganda’s economy is overly reliant on agriculture. Our hope of reaching middle-income status is dependent on citizens’ efforts to achieve an environmentally sustainable economy. We have reduced Mabira to a roadside forest, with the interior heavily deforested. Deforestation in the Amazon for soya production to feed cows in the European Union is not sustainable.

Uganda’s Vanessa Nakate, a global climate justice activist, made a strong case on November 6 in Glasgow. She shared practical examples from her country on how farmers have been thrown off balance by climate change.

Schools in rural areas have been flooded, roofs uprooted and the mango tree alternative is no longer feasible during a heavy downpour.

As Charles Onyango Obbo quoted recently, before Nakate there was Ndyakira Amooti (RIP). The famous New Vision environmental journalist and award winner was a true embodiment of a person passionate about nature. He preached that the environment and economy can work in harmony. His death left a gap since he was a central figure who advocated environmental issues without fear or favour.

Currently, Gerald Tenywa, a protégé of Amooti, is following in his footsteps to keep the candle burning.

To turn the tide on climate change, we need a critical mass of Amootis and Tenywas, who are passionate about protecting the environment. We also require the various environmental bodies to take leadership and link saving the environment with the economy. Most times, people brush off climate change to be the sole preserve of activists like Nakate. The environment is everybody’s business. We all need food from farmers, hot

temperatures affect us all, the energy used to fire the food we eat daily is prepared by charcoal, firewood or gas. By buying charcoal, you are encouraging somebody to cut down a tree.

Small and Medium Enterprises form the bulk of Uganda’s economy. These businesses are in the driver’s seat charging Uganda’s economy forward.

Tree planting to absorb carbon is central to prevent overheating the earth. The use of firewood and charcoal by most Ugandans is not sustainable and deliberate efforts for alternatives need to be brought on board.

Prioritisation of biogas cooking energy, especially by the hotel and commercial sector, is a must, including education institutions, prisons and facilities that congregate people. Use of biodigesters in homes instead of septic tanks generates bio-gas for kitchen energy and manure for the garden. Deliberate Government efforts to promote green practices is a practical form of renewable energy.

Sustainability is central in international business today. If you want to access export markets and have an eco-friendly business, the doors open much faster.

Glyphosate, the controversial weed killer, is being phased out in the European Union with a deadline of December 2022.

Austria banned it in July 2019. The weed killer is a cancer-causing agent yet Uganda’s vegetable farmers are having a fi eld day spraying tomatoes. Sustainability means that the actions we take today should not pose a threat to the present and future generations.

We are wondering about the increase in cancer cases, but are not investigating the cause.

Environmental sustainability has a direct impact on the economic survival of Uganda. We all need to change practices at an individual level to stop the effects of climate change.