The damage has already been done

CAROL CAMPBELL MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE - Nov 06 2008 06:00

It is already too late to reverse the damage humans have done to the environment, says Mozambican scientist Filipe Lucio.

Lucio, the senior scientific officer for the World Meteorological Organisation's disaster risk reduction programme, said Africa is committed to dramatic climate change for generations, until at least 2090.

He was speaking at the Science in Africa symposium, ahead of the 29th general assembly of the International Council for Science in Maputo, Mozambique, this month.

African governments must heed scientists from organisations such as the South African Weather Service who understand the changes and could help nations adapt, Lucio said.

"Governments can empower scientists in their meteorological services who will help them make informed decisions about the future and the impact of climate change on natural resources, agriculture and other areas."

Lucio noted that causing climate change had nothing to do with getting hurt by climate change: "Countries in Africa, like Mozambique, who are not the culprits, are going to be the biggest victims." He warned that malaria will sicken more people as global warming speeds up the life cycle of the malaria-parasite-carrying mozzies as they spread into previously unaffected regions.

The concept of scientists educating government officials is an issue close to the heart of Mozambique's minister of science and technology, Venancio Massingue.

"To give scientists a voice in Mozambique, we have two meetings a year -- the first in February is a 'harmonisation' meeting that looks at the funds available and identifies priorities. The second meeting, in November, is an assessment to see how things have gone during the year," explained the ministry's national director, António Leão.

Science and technology ministers from Chad, Mauritania, Mozambique and Sudan, and deputy ministers from Burundi, Namibia and South Africa attended the symposium on science and technology development in Africa. This is the first time the 77-year-old ICSU has held a general assembly in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Carol Campbell attended the ICSU meeting in Maputo on behalf of the Science and Development Network, online at www.SciDev.Net. Links to more research available on the Sub-Saharan Africa section of the website.

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The damage has already been done

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