Mozambique: The Effects of Global Warming

Rainfull and Floods in Mozambique

Global warming is one of the biggest issues facing the modern world. The causes are mainly from us, the human races, through the carbon dioxide and methane emissions, deforestation and increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on croplands. Consequently, we are watching extreme weather events around the world such as monsoon depressions, cyclone, intense flooding, unprecedented rain, wet and dry extremes, killer storms and heat waves, and the other effects that we are starting to experience. Mozambique: one of the affected area during the flooding in 2010                Mozambique is a country located in Southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest. The effects of global warming in this country are tremendous. In 2000 Mozambique experienced the first horrific flooding. The catastrophic flooding was caused by heavy rainfall that lasted for five weeks. It was the worst flood in Mozambique in 50 years. The flood had an incredible effect on the agriculture of Mozambique. Nearly 90% of the country's functioning irrigation infrastructure was damaged, causing the worst of the agriculture losses. Many square kilometers of cultivated and grazing land were lost, leaving small farming households with nothing. Animals were found dead on the floor which was swept away by the amazing force of the water. Children died from starvation, after being isolated with families on islands and made many homeless. Schools were closed, leaving students and teachers without classrooms. Health units were destroyed.              There is a famous and interesting story about the floods in Mozambique. A baby was born in a tree. This represents one of the devastating images of the flood. Sofia Pedro about to give birth while surrounded by flood water, climbed to a tree to escape the surging waters. Fortunately, an air force medic was lowered on to the tree to help the mother give birth and cut the umbilical cord. Then they hoisted mother and child on to the helicopter.

Rosita Pedro: the baby girl that was born in a tree during the floods in Mozambique

In 2013, Mozambique experienced a similar picture. Heavy rains have hit the region and again, horrific floods have been the result. This year the flooding has been longer and even more damaging. A total of 213,000 people has been affected by the floods and had to leave their homes to live in huge makeshift camps. Mozambique has had to look for outside assistance from the international community due to the large scale damage and destruction of the flooding. Relief stocks were low and the resources of the Mozambique government were limited. Over $5 million of aid had been used to help immediate life-saving assistance. However it was estimated that the overall aid to assist the thousands affected by the floods would need to be around $30 million.

Global warming effects are real, global, and measurable, and if nothing is doing effectively to stop or reduce its effects, very serious consequences awaiting us and future generations.

Can an Old Dream Become True After Several Years?

 I always dreamt to study overseas and to speak and write in English fluently. In spite of still learning English, now I can write without checking the dictionary or looking for translation on Google. Besides writing and speaking in English, finally I am going to Australia to do my master degree and this means to me a golden key to open any door. I have been dreaming about it as soon as I finished my primary school. Can you imagine how long did it take? There is no any secret. It is only about persevering and believing that whatever you want it is possible to achieve. Just keep struggling and focusing on your main goal.

  My name is Angela. I am an Economist, but by the time I finished my course, my country was suffering with high rates of infection and prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women and children. So, I preferred to give up from the economics, and I embraced social cause to help my country doing my part in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I love my work because allows me to be directly exposed with communities and to know their pure and raw reality.

Now, I want to do my part discussing the main problems affecting the modern world. This is the principal reason of this blog. Firstly, I will focus on the effects of the global warming, especially about the rainfall and floods in Mozambique. I am aware that alone I will not change the world, but at least I will be doing something  ... Let’s share ideas, do your part too and together we can change the World.  I am already waiting for you...