11 Sep 2014

Residents from Barolong farms have urged government to impose emission standards on imported vehicles to reduce pollution.

Speaking at a consultative meeting on climate change policy on September 9, the residents agreed that non-conforming vehicles should not be allowed in the country just like in South Africa.

Mr Falaki Mononi suggested that government should consider Genetically Modified (GM) crops to enhance food production to provide a number of ecological benefits such as resistance to certain pests, diseases or environmental conditions.

He also said solar energy is an excellent alternative for fossil fuels like coal and petroleum because solar energy is practically emission free while generating electricity.

With solar energy the danger of further damage to the environment is minimized,” he said.

Mr Roben Kgengwenyane who is a farmer said they have suffered adverse effects of climate change under animal production sector. He said cattle production is mostly affected by heat stress whereby extended heat exposure reduces breeding efficiency, milk production and fertility rates as well as reduction in animal’s natural resistance to diseases.

He also said the department should disseminate information to the public regarding climate change that will implore them to change their behaviour.

Another farmer, Mr Blom Lekoma attested that climate change has affected the grazing ranges as palatable grasses have been depleted and led to the growth of unpalatable grass such as “seloka” which he said is not nutritious to animals.

He further requested the host to converge with other relevant stakeholders to engage in intensive research to make enormous inroads to understand the causes of climate change that he said will help develop a strong understanding of the current impacts.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks director, Dr Oduetse Koboto said world governments are faced with a mammoth task of dealing with imported vehicles and said through consultative meetings they will be able to come up with solutions that will assist government to further its efforts.

He also said growing genetically modified crops is not yet practiced in Botswana because the matter is still surrounded by many controversies.

He said climate change has affected many economic sectors in the world such as food production, animal production and mining sectors.

Dr Koboto noted that crop production sector was one of the most hit by adverse effects of climate change resulting in irregular weather patterns.

He said it was necessary for them to have crunch talks with citizens to source their views that could be incorporated into the climate change policy.

“He said it is vital because as soon as the policy is espoused there will be obligations,” he said.

For his part, principal meteorologist, Mr Balisi Gopolang said climate is changing and that these changes are in large part caused by human activities.

He said agricultural activities like land clearing, application of organic fertilizers, and deforestation cause climate change.“Currently, the country is experiencing low and late rainfalls, stormy rains due to high temperatures, outbreak of diseases such as malaria and floods,” he said.

Mr Gopolang also cautioned residents to avoid burning litters because they produce methane gases that end up polluting the atmosphere.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II urged residents to exercise caution on their activities to ensure that they do not pollute the environment and where possible resort to activities that are more sustainable. ENDS