Recognising climate change effects is road to community transformation

A PERSON or a group of people recognising and understanding the effects of climate change is enough to make a change.

Climate change threatens coastal areas, which are already stressed by human activity, pollution, invasive species, and storms affecting the social, economic and environmental system. Some people from the Somanga area in Kilwa District, Lindi Region said there is a need to accept having limited time to face the challenges of ocean and climate change.

The sooner we start working on preventing environmental damage the better for our salvation and prosperity. The Kilwa people don’t need a master’s degree because they already know how the situation has changed over the years and caused a shortage of our staple food.

People in Kilwa are highly dependent on activities that affect the climate for their household food, energy and health. After realising that the sea is approaching their villages, and it was found that there is a village in the neighbourhood that has already been swallowed and the fishing has decreased significantly, they quickly decided to find a solution.

Somanga people gathered and discussed using their strength and their traditional understanding to fight the situation.

Without formal or official research, they found out that coral reefs have been damaged and some have died completely due to the effects of climate change.

Speaking at the one meeting on Friday in Dar es Salaam the Somanga villager, Mr Saidi Chande said after the situation they started teaching each other socially how to restore the coral reefs.

The meeting that brought African organisations have that credential.