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(NYASATIMES) Malawian speaks at climate change hearing in UK

Malawian speaks at climate change hearing in UK
By Nyasa Times
Published: October 19, 2009

Malawian Elvis Sukali, a communications and media officer for Oxfam, gave a presentation about the affect of climate change in Malawi at a hearing in Bristol, UK.

Sukali told the hearing which included politicians and members of the public that he believes climate change is “having a huge effect” on the southern African country.

“Malawians rely on rain to grow food for the family and to earn money to pay for vital goods such as medicines and the foodstuffs they cannot grow. The rain is now so unpredictable that people’s livelihoods and lives are at risk,” said Sukali, author of the “Winds of Change” report.

The Malawian has been on a tour of climate change hearings in UK on invitation by Richard Howell, communications manager at the charity’s headquarters in Oxford.

The charity is hoping to gather evidence of climate change from across the globe which it will present to international leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December.

Sukali said: “It’s wonderful and very heartening that the people of Bristol are moved into action to influence world leaders. We need a just and fair climate change deal at the UN Summit in Copenhagen.”

Oxfam’s research has shown that climate change adds to poverty and environmental pressures to create a downward spiral that makes people and communities vulnerable.

According to the charity, women are particularly affected, as they rely so much on natural resources to grow food and to gather water and wood that is increasingly scarce.

In countries such as Malawi anything that increases food insecurity can also increase the spread of disease such as HIV/Aids as women are forced into prostitution to provide for their families.

Sukali also attended the Conservative party conference in Manchester to speak to ministers about the environmental issues affecting Malawi.

He said: “My talks put climate change into the context of Malawi and what people there have to face. Countries are trying to cut their emissions but I think they need to provide funding in addition to their aid funding for struggling countries.”

Labels: CLIMATE CHANGE, MALAWI, RAINFALL

posted by MrK @ 4:46 PM