14 May 2014

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi says policy makers such as Parliamentarians play a key role in efforts to alleviate suffering of the poor through amongst others, resource allocation (budget), and taking action to address the challenges presented by climate change. 


Giving a keynote address at a climate change workshop organised for Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Climate Change, Mr Moatlhodi hinted that parliamentarians are uniquely placed to respond to some of the global challenges by influencing their own national climate change agenda.

He said from the mainstream view, there is now universal consensus that the response to climate change can be more effective if it is addressed from the broader perspective that encompasses the impact of climate change, whether perceived or true.

He said there is now a greater understanding that climate change is a global phenomenon that has universal impacts that have resulted in amongst others loss of lives and property due to rising sea, droughts and other events.

The deputy speaker further stated that many people in developing countries such as Botswana, the adverse impact of climate change has not only resulted in prolonged droughts, crop failure and water shortages, but continues to threaten the very livelihood of the vulnerable sections of society.

He said observations indicate that it has had wide-ranging effects on key sectors such as water, agriculture, tourism, food security and human health.

“Countries like Botswana have particularly been exposed due to amongst others, its arid environment adding that over and above that, climate unpredictability and climate impacts continue to threaten to reverse the social and economic gains that have been achieved over the years.

To some extent, these effects are affecting the realisation of the national goals and aspirations set in the national Vision 2016,” he added.
Mr Moatlhodi further stated that with more evidence and showing the connection between climate change and sustainable development, discussions on the subject have now assumed a more prominent place.

“Despite the continuing debate on climate change protagonists and sceptics, it has become even more important to shift discussions from the domain of environmentalists and climate scientists to the level of policy makers such as members of parliament”.

In his welcome remarks, director of Fredrick Ebert Stiftung, Dr Ulrich Golaszinki explained that there is now overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change continues to cause huge threat to human kind with many countries in Africa being vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change. He said climate change also threatens the livelihoods of the mass poor particularly those living in the rural areas but commended Botswana for taking the lead on climate change at continental level.


In this regard, Dr Golaszinki also shared the same sentiments with Mr Moatlhodi that parliamentarians are uniquely placed in addressing issues of climate change because of their influence. 


For his part, UNDP resident coordinator Mr Anders Pederson explained that the role of science in decision making is needed because climate change does slow down the economic development of any given country.


He said climate change is not just an environmental issue but is also a social, economic and political issue which requires the attention of the legislators.

The objective of the two day workshop themed: “Parliamentarians taking the lead” was to enhance the capacity of Parliamentarians to address challenges posed by climate change, including oversight of climate change financing policy. ENDS