Youth views on global warming

THE world is on the edge due to constant changes in the climate, affecting the planet. Who would have thought teenagers could even wink at a phenomenon as ambiguous as global warming? During a recent debate at Greenhill Academy, students from different schools had a lot to say about global warming —its impact and suggestions to stop the predicament. Gilbert Kidimu writes.

Irene Mutuzo, Nabisunsa Girls School:
“Climate change is largely responsible for the credit crunch. Due to global warming, there is increased desertification therefore fewer crops are harvested. This makes food more expensive. Jobs have been lost and salaries reduced. However, this can be changed by educating the illiterate people in Uganda because they make up the majority yet have they no idea what climatic change is. We should give them practical solutions, teach them the dangers if the environment.is not conserved.”

Samuel Tumwa, St Lawrence Citizens High School:
“In Africa, industrialisation has led to climate change. There is a lot of emission of gases, which create a blanket that hinders condensation of water in the atmosphere. This limits rainfall.We should create industries using less fossil energy. Japan has devised means of manufacturing cars with engines that do not emit pollutant gases.”

Mildred Namutebi, Greenhill Academy:
“Uganda is getting a lot of problems due to climatic change. Electricity keeps going off because the sun over heats Lake Victoria. This makes the water level go down hence less hydro power generated. In Karamoja, people cannot grow food, which has resulted into many street children begging for food. Also the floods in Teso sub-region resulted from climatic change.”

Justin Asaba, Pope John Paul School in Gulu: “It has been proven that old refrigerators just like old vehicles, release poisonous gases like carbon dioxide, which is dangerous to human life. These gases destroy the ozone layer, which makes the sun rays to directly hit the earth. This leads to drought and famine. If we plant trees, they will absorb toxic gases, create fresh air and contribute to formation of rainfall.”

Enoch Kakuru, Kings College Budo:
“The world needs to learn that climate change is a reality and we are in grave danger. If we fail to take relevant steps, our future is at risk. For instance the shrinking of Lake Chad and the lowering water levels in our Lake Victoria. I am involved in the cause to restore the climate. I have participated in tree planting in Kiboga under the National Forest Authority. I also sensitise the public about the subject. In Uganda, like the rest of the world, we have chosen industrialisation over protection of the environment. It is wrong to claim parts of Mabira forest for sugarcane plantation.

Onesmus Mwesigwa, Mbarara High School:
“One factor responsible for the growing change in the climate is deforestation. These natural covers act as carbon sinks but due to human activities, they are depleted and gases are not absorbed. I think the solution out of this is forestation and reforestation.”

Monique Namara, Greenhill Academy: “Although global warming is a biting issue, our Ugandan economy like most African countries, cannot afford the best measures, for example, the carbon credit method is too costly for our small scale industries. Collective responsibility is what we need to fight this impending danger.”

Bonita Chepkwemoi, Gamatui Girls School in Kapchorwa:
“Uganda so far has not contributed much to the current climatic change because we do not have many industries that pollute the environment. The US, Japan, and China have too many industries that emit poisonous gases. The US contributes 36% to the world’s pollution hence making us victims of their actions.”

Elizabeth Kissa, Town View Secondary School:
“Old trucks and vehicles dumped in Uganda emit gasses that pollute the environment, leading to global warming. To curb this, importation of old vehicles should be banned and they should encourage cars using petrol instead of diesel because diesel produces more toxic gases.”

Sandra Atukunda, St Lawrence Creamland Campus: “Political instability in Africa has had a significant impact on climate change. Whenever guns are shot and missiles blown, gasses are released, which destroys the ozone layer. To reverse this, we need to plant trees. Students can plant trees in schools, one or two trees at home and places of work,”
Eleanor Basore, Bweranyangye Girls :
“If there is not awakening among us, we are bound to witness more drought and famine. The Government needs to come up and support this cause — advocate and support tree planting. And people who still cut down trees in Mabira should be thrown in cells and put to their deserved justice.”

Perez Odek, Uganda Christian University: “The effects of global warming are visible in Africa, even when we are presumed to emit the least gases. Whereas US and China can cope, we cannot. The state of deforestation is apparent while our system of garbage disposal is poor. The waste continues to emit elements of global warming and sadly, the masses have not yet been sensitised about it.”