Zambia is experiencing its most severe drought in 40 years, whereas countries in Asia saw some of the heaviest and most fatal rainfall till date. The ice in the arctic is melting quicker than ever before, and it’s snowing in the Sahara desert. These aren’t isolated incidents, but symptoms of our Earth in distress.
The global climate is in a state of profound upheaval, and while many people are the helpless victims of these circumstances, we are also the primary culprit for climate change with our emission of greenhouse gases that trap heat from the sun. For young people presently who will have to bear the brunt of this scientific phenomenon, the consequence of the international climate crisis means that the future is melting away much like the ice caps of the Earth. The planet is sending us a clear message: things are heating up, and we can’t afford to sit idle.
But what does this truly mean for a young person growing up in a world increasingly defined by climate change? It means facing a future filled with uncertainties, challenges, but also opportunities.
To understand how to tackle such an issue, one must understand the science behind the climate crisis. The main culprit is the greenhouse effect. Imagine the Earth as a greenhouse. The sun’s rays enter, warming the planet. Normally, some heat escapes back into space. But greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide act like a blanket, trapping heat and making the planet warmer. These gases come from burning fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes.
Many often wonder, “How does this affect me?” and the answer is: in more ways than you can imagine.
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Hurricanes, floods, droughts, and heatwaves are disrupting lives, damaging property, and even endangering people. As the climate changes, these events will become more common and severe, impacting the lives of many in our nation and beyond.
Water scarcity is another pressing issue. Zambia relies heavily on water not just to sustain farming, but to power the nation as evidenced by the load shedding due to lack of rain this year. Changes in rainfall patterns can lead to droughts, affecting crop growth, water availability, and possibly even leading to a nationwide blackout in the near future. This could result in higher food prices, making it harder for families to afford basic necessities.
Damage to infrastructure, disruptions to businesses, and economic instability can all be traced back to the changing climate. This can lead to job losses and make it harder to make ends meet when the time comes for today’s youth to enter the world as its citizens.
Climate change also poses significant health risks. Heat-related illnesses are on the rise, and the spread of diseases carried by insects, like malaria, is increasing. Additionally, poor air quality caused by pollution is linked to respiratory problems and other health issues.
With all this considered, it’s easy to feel bleak about the future, but these pressing and urgent incentives are what have pushed millions around the world to try and find solutions. Scientists are developing new technologies, governments are implementing policies, and communities are coming together to build a more sustainable future, and there are ways we can help as Zambian youth.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle is the motto of many green campaigns internationally. By cutting down on waste, finding new uses for things, and recycling properly, you help save resources and protect our planet. Support businesses that care about the environment. Planting trees and growing your own food are also great ways to help.
Even Zambia’s green champions are driving the bandwagon to a more secure future by finding clever ways to adapt to the drier weather with new farming techniques, a slow but sure shift to solar energy to fully utilise the bounty of our nation’s plentiful sunlight and donating to protecting flora in our game reserves, national parks and even urban cities like Lusaka. Researching and supporting organisations carrying out such tasks is a way to aid not just the nation, but the world.
The youth are part of the generation that will shape the world to come. With knowledge, determination, and collective action, we can overcome the challenges of climate change and create a healthier, more equitable planet for everyone. The future’s not set in stone. It’s up to us to write a new chapter.
By Anushka Yadav
There is no climate crisis.
Facts:
1. Climate is ALWAYS changing. Case in point is the ice age and Sahara desert.
2. Droughts and floods have been happening for hundreds of years
3. The west has developed their economies using hydrocarbon energy sources which are abundant and high yield. Why do they want to force low yield expensive energy sources on us.
4. This climate change cult is just mass hysteria led bu unhinged, antihuman marxists. Sadly in Africa we just accept everything the west says as fact. No analysis of our own
I seem to be unable to reply to your message on my comment. Don’t know why I’m even bothering because time should be spent learning how to avoid the very real problem escalating, not wasted to conspiracy theorists like you, but someone has to clear your delusions. You seem terribly misinformed on subject matters like the environment and COVID 19, and Lusaka Times has written this article for the youth to avoid growing up to be like you. Since you’re insistent on proof, a simple Google search should be enough to yield millions of results not just from “Western” sources but many here in Africa and beyond as well. Wake up, and stop being a part of the problem. I pray you stop denying the facts.
You know, just the fact that you are using “conspiracy theory” jargon tells me how brainwashed you are by mainstream media. And the fact that you still think COVID vaccines are safe tells me you simply parrot what you hear from the mainstream media. I can see you don’t even know that J&j and Pfizer have both withdrawn their vaccines because they have been shown to be harmful. Or that they are facing massive lawsuits over the same. You are brainwashed into calling everyone who questions the official narrative as “conspiracy theorists”. You think you are enlightened, when you are deceived as hell. These are not conspiracy theories. These are facts that any person who does some honest indepth research will easily verify.
Well said! It’s astonishing seeing deniers in a day and age where science acknowledged it is a problem. Also should be said this isn’t East Vs West problems. It’s ordinary people Vs Big corporations that pollute and contribute to the problem in large amounts. Young people should indeed realize this and still try and do whatvt they can.
You need tobdonsome research mate. Which science are you talking about? The one that said COVID19 didn’t come from the lab….until they where forced to admit? Or the one that said COVID vaccines are safe….until Pfizer, J&J started getting lawsuits because people were dying from myocarditis caused by vaccines. Open your eyes and do some research instead of just shouting “science says….”
Trying to change Nature futile ??
Humans must adapt