Travelers to Ethiopia often realize droughts the country had suffered in its recent past though things have much improved now.
Some ask what they can contribute to the solution even though they stay for a short period of time.
Ecotravelers put this into consideration when they go to places especially to drought affected areas which Ethiopia has been one of them.
Droughts are mainly characterized by water shortage, a cause for many problems such as hunger, dryness, deaths, displacements, migrations etc. What causes droughts? I think much has been and is being said about global warming.
Ethiopia’s rivers tell us a lot about the global warming. I don’t have much info how the situation is in other countries. But in Ethiopia, rivers once known for their water overflows are now better known for their overflow of rocks as if the water has solidified. Some that were known for their floods are now totally unnoticed even as streams.
In Ethiopia, farmers are dependent on water sources more than anyone does as most of the lively hood is based on agriculture. The farmers suffer the consequence of water shortages more than any of us. It scares them to see a clear sky in the middle of rainy season.
You can tell what they sky looks like by seeing the faces of the farmers. They smile when the clouds get thicker and worrisome looks otherwise. They are right of course. Had crops could grow in labs; they would have been less worried. But that is not the case. They are victims of a problem they have not caused. They are the one who primarily pay the price.
As the big industries emanate more carbon, more heat is released to the atmosphere thus more water evaporates which would eventually dry the rivers. Dry rivers result dry lakes and dry reservoirs which consequently lessens the underground water reserve.
Water is one of the scarce resources of our planet whilst it is the most crucial in life. Science tells us that much part of our body is comprised of water. Is there anywhere water is without? I doubt. Yet we are acting as if we need it less.
Some might notice the global warming effect when the icebergs in the arctic melt. But in Africa and many parts of the world, once were green pastures, now they are rapidly changing to dry wilderness and deserts.
If the trend continues and unless people become a little wiser and act responsibly, it will not be far to see places once covered with ice changed into deserts.
I think we all need to know that water, even though renewable resource, it is not something that we should take it for granted. Had that not been the case, we wouldn’t see many countries particularly in Africa in an acute water shortage.
We should not take the resource for granted but show respect towards the generosity of nature and need to have a responsible attitude.
We need to economize our usage when supplied in our homes or industries or offices etc. We need to use it less wastefully and instead do more actions that will help conserve this dear resource.
An ecotraveler can make a difference in raising the issues of drought and global warming; by creating awareness regarding water shortages and by helping local communities to deal with the problem in a better approach.
- Efforts like planting trees could help a lot in protecting the underground water from evaporation and keep it stay in the ground.
- The less we use the more we save.
- Recycling schemes would help a lot to conserve it.
- Water pollution is the other big issue to deal with. It hurts badly not only the aquatic life, but also plants, humans, everything and everyone.
However, the more the water is polluted the more technology and money is required to recycle it. Prevention is better than cure. We need to pay more attention in keeping it safe.
What do you say? We love to hear your thoughts.
