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.