Ethiopia is one of the countries in the world that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate, such as increased temperature, erratic rainfall patterns, drought and a heightened frequency of extreme weather events. These changes have far-reaching consequences for the country’s ecosystems, economy, and the livelihoods of its people.
Ethiopia’s heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture, delicate ecosystems, inadequate infrastructure and high rates of poverty are some of the reasons contributing to its susceptibility to climate change. The majority of the population in the nation is employed in agriculture, making the country’s economy particularly vulnerable to climate change. The regular occurrence of droughts, floods and desertification has had a detrimental effect on Ethiopian populations’ access to food, water resources, and general well-being.
Ethiopia’s efforts to be resilient to climate change also heavily depend on maintaining its rich biodiversity and safeguarding its forests. Unsustainable land use practices and population expansion are the primary causes of deforestation and forest degradation, which pose serious challenges to the ecosystem and climate.
Ethiopia has been actively attempting to improve its climate change resilience in order to save its population, ecology, and economy while also aiming to create a future that is sustainable and adaptable. The country is working toward restoring degraded landscapes, enhancing carbon sequestration and protecting biodiversity through a number of initiatives aimed at conserving forests, encouraging reforestation, and implementing sustainable land management techniques.
The nation has developed extensive policies and frameworks to promote resilience, realizing the urgency of addressing climate change. One of the most important national initiatives is the Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy. This plan seeks to support an economy that is both climate-resilient and carbon-neutral. This focuses on important industries like forestry, energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture. Ethiopia is aiming for a more resilient and ecologically conscious future by pursuing sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Director of the Ministry of Planning and Development’s Climate Change Planning and Implementation Coordination, Mohammed Andoshe, said in an interview with The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia is in favor of this initiative to foster unity.
“A diverse array of experts, researchers, and practitioners from various sectors have come together for the workshop with a shared sense of urgency and commitment to safeguarding the future and wellbeing of Ethiopia’s communities” he stated.
He emphasized further that addressing the urgent need for resilience in the face of the escalating climate disaster is a shared goal. According to him, bringing together professionals, scholars, and practitioners from different fields will enable them to face the pressing issue of climate change resilience with confidence.
To increase agricultural output and food security, the nation has put in place a number of projects, such as the national Green Legacy Initiative. These programs support the growth of drought-tolerant crops, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and watershed management.
Water scarcity and decreased hydropower generation due to climate crises are the results of irregular rainfall patterns and higher evaporation rates.
The effects of climate change on Ethiopia’s agriculture, according to Dr. Sisay Sinamo, Senior Program Manager at Seqota Declaration, are endangering crop yields, livestock health, and food security, especially for susceptible segments of society such as children and women.
In addition, Sisay stated that due to inadequate sanitation and contaminated water supplies, which can also lead to a shortage of water and restricted access to clean water sources, climate change would expose people to waterborne diseases like malaria and diarrhea. He said that developing resilience to climate change and putting effective solutions in place are very helpful in protecting the future and well-being of citizens.
Ethiopia has made integrated water resource management a top priority. This includes promoting effective irrigation methods, restoring watersheds, and building small-scale water conservation infrastructure. In addition, the nation is working to lessen its reliance on hydropower by developing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power in an effort to diversify its supply of energy.
The head of the Max Foundation, Kokeb Birhanu, stated that the organization would prioritize Food Nutrition Security (FNS) and WASH in addition to encouraging cooperation and creating practical, approachable solutions to solve the growing climatic concerns.
“We are working together with the regional Health Bureau, Water Bureau, and other partners to ensure food security and sanitation in the districts covered by the Seqota declaration framework, especially in the Amhara region and certain districts in Tigray,” she said.
She remarked that Plan International Ethiopia and Max Foundation Ethiopia have developed an innovative five-year integrated WASH and FNS program called the Healthy Village Programme (HVP), which aims to combat water- and fecal-borne infections and stunting in vulnerable areas.
In order to provide the community with access to food security and sanitation, we have to inform and increase community knowledge of the need to address climate change-related issues and preserve and take care of natural resources, she added.
Furthermore, to address the climate change crises in a nation 10 technology instruments have been put in place to monitor Addis Ababa’s air quality, according to General Manager Dida Diriba of the Addis Ababa City Environmental Protection Authority.
He mentioned that taking this action will reduce the health risks related to the gases and dust that cause air pollution.
According to him, air quality is being protected through the implementation of the clean air initiative in African cities. Installing and measuring the proper air quality technology in African cities will yield data, which will allow for monitoring and improvement. This will contribute to improving the air quality in African cities.
In order to reduce emissions and improve the general livability of urban areas, the government is actively pushing the development of green cities and sustainable transportation options. Building climate change resilience in Ethiopia requires the active engagement and participation of communities.
The nation has placed a strong emphasis on community-based adaptation strategies that empower local communities to identify and implement climate change resilience measures through promoting climate-smart practices, providing training on sustainable agriculture, and strengthening early warning systems to enhance the capacity of vulnerably exposed communities.
Besides this, through the implementation of integrated policies, sustainable practices, and community engagement, Ethiopia is making significant progress in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, continued international support and collaboration are crucial to further strengthening Ethiopia’s resilience efforts. By investing in climate change resilience, Ethiopia can secure a sustainable and prosperous future for its people while contributing to global climate action.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2023
