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By Cliven Njekete/Zimbabwe  Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa characterised by tropical climate, good landscape and wildlife mainly found in protected areas. The National Report by ZimStat on the Census of 2012 reported Zimbabwe’s population at slightly above 13 million people. However, at present, various sources estimate Zimbabwe’s population to be over 15 million as of 2016.
By John Carl T. Alonsagay/Philippines  In a sudden rush of things, I was about to face one of the most historic events in our time that has spanned for almost 20 years now. The aim of the event was to make 196 states agree and take action on how to heal the damages to the planet since the 10,000 years of its existence and 300 years of industrialization. And we are about to start this game, with ATO’s 13-year-old structure as our platform for creative and social activism
By Terna Ortese/Nigeria  Climate change is a global phenomenon that has now been given high priority in world discussions because climate related issues can no longer be relegated to the background. The collective response of world leaders proves just how dire the situation has become.
By Navin Pandey and Bipin Karki/Nepal  The global climate change and associated shifts in weather pattern are not an abstruse notion but an alarming reality today. Climate change is the alteration in statistical distribution of weather patterns for extended period that disturbs the balance in ecosystem, hence creating a havoc. According to World Bank statistical yearbook, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have already crossed 35 mmt/yr and are in increasing trend since 20th century.
Climate change is the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced. The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that “Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal”. The climate change study of NASA provides evidence for rapid climate change scenarios like sea level rise, global temperature rise, warming ocean, shrinking ice sheets, declining arctic sea ice, glacial retreat, extreme events, ocean acidifications, decreased snow cover and many more.  Original Image: Executive Chronicles By Tony V. Inting/Philippines The Philippines, a country where most of the citizens can still wear a joyful smile in the face of extreme calamities and hardships, has a long way to go in carrying out actions that aim to minimize the climate change-induced damages. The innate happiness that Filipinos share, as non-locals are greeted by their warm smiles, has become a part of the country’s practices and norms. When typhoon Haiyan (locally known as typhoon Yolanda) ravaged the country in 2013, it dealt damages amounting to $2.5 billion.
In spite of the massive damages brought by the typhoon, the Filipinos remained resilient during the disaster and really inspired British soldiers who were dispatched for disaster response. It has been established that one of the coping strategies of the citizens, be it in trials or disasters, is to smile away the problems and go on with life. |