Mbeya Vigil December 2009. ( TANZANIA )

Mbeya Vigil

Climate change is one of the hottest agenda reviewed since Kyoto Protocol of 2005 that was initially adopted in December 1997. Copenhagen climate action summit has been held brilliantly in the month of December 2009. World's leaders and delegates effectively took part in determining the green future for the future generation to come. I had my ears open on the two weeks (7^th – 18^th) December of finding the clear destination to Carbon and relevant emissions. The two weeks in which the world's leaders flocked together into the Danish Capital of Copenhagen. This summit, the environmental most unique Summit in planet's history as far as environment is concerned, has beyond brought media and environmental activist's attentions and anxiety.

Mbeya is a one the richest region in Tanzania. Tanzania one of the countries in East African community largely depends on Mbeya as the core producer of food especially maize, rice and potatoes. Therefore this region is quite crucial in driving the country's agricultural sector and Ministry of agriculture in large. Cash crops are also found in the Mbeya region these include tea, cocoa and coffee. On the southern highlands of Tanzania where Mbeya is also located rainfalls have not shown any sings of reluctance in a decade. This has been a blessing to Nyakusya, Safwa, Kinga, Ndali, Nyia and Nyamwanga tribes which are predominantly residing in Mbeya region.

With current rapid climate change this consent of prosperous food production might just be a delusion in Mbeya and the neighboring regions like Rukwa and Ruvuma another rich agricultural regions.

Most regions in Tanzania have experienced different climate patterns including rainfalls fluctuations and temperature rise. High temperatures stimulate Malaria eruptions as one cause on the medical ground. Malaria is a tropical killer disease caused by plasmodium which dwells in a female mosquito as a host. High temperature (Hot) favors mosquito's reproduction. Therefore some parts in Tanzania besides Mbeya region are currently experiencing Malaria because of temperature rise and climate change.

I was listening to a panel organized by BBC based on Copenhagen summit decisions held on 17^th Dec 09. Frankly this environmental panel was extremely fascinating. Mohamed Nasheed Maldives's president sited out that he would love to see his grandkids from his two own daughters born and raised in Maldives. Maldives includes several islands, the smallest country in Indian Ocean which is under severe threat to be wiped out of the planet because of climate change. Sea level rise because of ice melting caused by temperature rise is most scaring factor to eliminate Maldives on the planet's face. Mr. Nasheed was impatiently settled after seeing two weeks of unending conclusions. From the developed world represented by the Australian and Swedish prime ministers there was imprecise decision of how is the transition process from fossil to green technology accomplished. Swedish prime minister who also represented the EU spotted out that European Union needs China and the United States to initiate this process of transition since they are the biggest emitters of green gases.

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Tanzania had few delegates and representatives at the summit to have their contributions heard and implemented. Besides some Tanzanian representative actively and physically being in Copenhagen, me and my brother on behalf of our beautiful nation of Tanzania we had a small vigil in our house back yard (Mbeya) and this is how it was.

"We got up early on Sunday morning 13^th Dec 09. And to be extremely environmental friendly we wanted to be creative on what we will use to convey our message. Firstly we took unused discarded silver board in the garage, secondly we used green leftovers fabrics from our local tailor, and then we used a piece of charcoal, a soap bar, a rake and a slasher. We spent 0$ to accomplish our vigil and to be precise this is what happened.

• We wet the fabrics after cutting them into equal sizes. After wards we applied intensive soap bar scrubbed on top of them. Finally we stuck them on the board showing "GREEN FUTURE".
  
• We wrote "TANZANIA" using a piece of charcoal just below GREEN FUTURE.
  

The message behind this picture is to show the importance of re-using the reusable resources to sustain the living planet. We used a fabric that tailors in my neighborhood burn them, but it was in the same fabrics we are sending this message through. Charcoal has carbon and it gives out carbon dioxide, it plays a big role in climate change therefore focus should be upon Carbon dioxide in this green future issue.

The tools we are holding show we have the means to save the planet and fight the climate change. We are more than ready to stand for the future generations which still need to enjoy the wonders of the environment that it has to offer.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón thinks the climate change is the responsibility of every country and everyone and therefore this battle should not focus on who is responsible but rather on uniting as the world together to stand for the one planet we have. His argument on the BBC environmental panel was strongly agreed by the South African Environmental minister.

The following are more views from Tanzania that was on the front pages of the business times (a local Tanzanian News paper)

Tanzania is vividly concerned about the climate change.

Our Pledge:

"We love nature and the environment. We are dedicated to save it and the people living in it. International leaders we need you to make wise decisions and have policies that will prioritize the environment."

We are sending our message with sincere hope of green future.

Thanks

Kenneth Mbwanji and Family.