VIEW FROM THE COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS (CWP) CHAIRPERSON
Parliamentarians vis-à-vis the challenge of climate change View from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Chairperson from the analysis of long-term climate records of an increase in the frequency and duration of extreme temperature events all over Bangladesh, particularly during the summer. The summer season has been prolonged while the winters have become short in Bangladesh. There is growing evidence indicating that climate change is threatening the world’s environmental, social and economic development. Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. And meanwhile, our Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, MP planet must still supply us – and all living things – with Chairperson of the air, water, food and safe places to live. Commonwealth Women One of the most serious impacts of climate Parliamentarians and Speaker change is how it will affect water resources around of the Parliament of Uganda the world. Water is intimately tied to other resources Situation analysis and social issues such as food supply, health, Currently climate change is a controversial topic, industry, transportation and ecosystem integrity. Climate change with a lot of debate on whether it is truly happening. Climate change also threatens the health of our children and grandchildren through is one of the harshest realities and challenges we face today and increased disease, freshwater shortages, worsened smog and many from the perspective of women, it is even worse given that women other issues. These impacts also pose incalculable future economic suffer most from the adverse impact of climate change; this I will risks that far outweigh the economic risk of taking action today. Of elucidate later in my article. course, the consequences of climate change are many and vary For those who still have any of the slightest doubt about the in different ecosystems and these include the threats of imminent reality of climate change and its impact, I want to share with you the increased risk of drought, fire and floods, more heat-related illnesses experience of farmers from my country, Uganda. While farmers in and disease, economic losses, stronger storms and increased storm Uganda cannot provide sufficient evidence to decide the matter, they damage, rising seas and changing landscapes. If we don’t act now, agree that the weather patterns have changed tremendously. The climate change will rapidly alter the lands and waters we all depend rainy seasons and the planting seasons have become unpredictable. upon for survival, leaving our children and grandchildren with a very This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the productivity of different world. Uganda’s agriculture, which is 97% rain-fed. Other evidence for the change in weather patterns is the loss of crop bio-diversity. Some The impact of climate change on women sweet potato varieties that have been grown for decades in various I feel it is important to touch on the plight of women in regard to the regions are now lost, due to the extreme weather. impacts of climate change because of their peculiar vulnerability The other example that I gathered was through my experience in to these impacts. Many women around the world must adapt their Bangladesh during the 10th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in lives to a changing climate. Increases in extreme weather conditions Dhaka in June 2013. I noticed that the Heat Index has remarkably - droughts, storms and floods for example - are already altering increased in Bangladesh because of climate change. Heat Index economies, economic development and patterns of human migration, describes the combined effect of temperature and humidity on the and are likely to be among the biggest global health threats this human body. This combined effect is causing a serious threat to the century. Everyone will be affected by these changes, but not equally. health of the people because of the changing climate. Studies have shown that women disproportionately suffer the With climate change and climate variability, the result is that the impacts of disasters, severe weather events, and climate change occurrence of heat waves is likely to increase. Evidence is emerging Dear readers of The Parliamentarian, I warmly welcome you to the first issue of our journal for 2016. Indeed it is a massive opportunity and pleasure for us to continue to share experiences and the way forward in collectively solving the global challenges in our midst through this publication. I bring you greetings from Uganda, from the people of Uganda, from my Parliament but most of all, I bring you warm greetings from the fraternity of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. One of the main themes of this issue is climate change and it surely raised my attention given its increasing impact and prominence in contemporary times.
8 | The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One