Why a "Self-centered" world may never mitigate Climate Change

Article by Abet Tonny

Dance for climate: Acholi culture

Climate and Culture have never been static but unfortunately, they are now changing at very distressing rate. As global warming hits the world, floods will devastate still more human settlements (see current event in Nepal) and farmlands. Poverty and famine will hurt humanity furthermore. Drought will become more rampant leading to even higher loss of traditional dishes we cherish. This is as conditions become unbearable for growth of such crops or their wild species. With these, culture will continue to be greatly impacted. Acholi culture -one of the richest cultures in Uganda has equally experienced enormous shifts in value systems as climate change disrupt a number of elements that once held the people together. Youths now have to abandon their village homes and fend for living in distant towns like Gulu or city of Kampala. This being caused by unreliable weather rendering farming -a major element that once held the young and  the old together, is no longer working for the young stars. These youths grow up with very little experience and appreciation for Acholi culture but most importantly, the conflict on which values to uphold always keep them in constant fight with their elderly people.

A number of studies have been conducted to unveil the eroding effect of climate change on culture and people. Jouni Jaakkola and colleagues studied this in Arctic region among the Saami people. And in their summary, this was written: "The lifestyle, diet, and morbidity of the Saami are changing to resemble the majority populations posing threats for the health of the Saami and making them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change."

Saami people

"Climate Change is still seen as the top global threat," this is according to a report of 26-nation survey conducted in 2018 by Pew Research Center -a U.S based information initiative of Times Mirror Center founded since 1990. According to Pew, the millions of respondents revealed the climate change threat to be bigger than that of terrorism.

Climate change effects on culture and socio-economic wellbeing of humanity are very clear.

It is very strange to note that whilst humanity did forecast and are already experiencing this gigantic threat, its commitment to alter the threat is a complete mismatch! The traditional leaders are feeling it, religious and government leaders alike. Pope Francis was talking about it. These individuals have used their powers for generations to cause great changes -both peaceful and painful...the question is, why do they become very uninfluential and feeble when it comes to the subject of climate change???

Reversing a global trend like climate change requires huge amount of resources with the most expensive bit being the human resource factor. Climate change can only be effectively mitigated with globe-wide collective action. But moving the globe into a collective action can be harder than goats knee. The commitments from most governments of the world remain very low.  US -a notable emitter of these gases causing the climate change, under Trump administration, sidelined itself from Paris agreement . Paris agreement brings together countries of the world to collectively fight global warming. The agreement among others required the developed countries -greatest emitters of greenhouse gases, to meet a collective goal of mobilising US$100 billion yearly in climate financing for developing countries.


The individual country's budget allocations to counter climate change is also very low among governments of developing countries. See records of Ghana, Ethiopia and Uganda. The need for unwavering monetary sustenance from world governments to propel climate change mitigation campaigns can not be overstated. But in many countries, regime survival in power is more important than the wellbeing of the citizens. So a huge portion of the national revenue will always be directed to meeting political urges at the expense of important needs like fighting climate change.