Climate change is real in Malawi

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 9 June 2013.

A subtle shift in rainfall can be devastating in a country like Malawi where 80 per cent of the population subsists on rain-fed agriculture.  The rains used to come by mid-October and fall steadily until March.

These days the rains often don’t come until December. Sometimes it rains too much, sometimes too little. Flooding and drought occur in the same season. The climate has changed.

A group of American Christian leaders, brought together by the Evangelical Environmental Network, recently visited villages throughout Malawi to witness the impact of climate change.

Among many observations was this challenge from a Presbyterian farmer in Chagundu village: “You tell those Doubting Thomases that climate change is real and has a negative impact on people.  Less rain means I can’t grow vegetables any more.”

Warning signs are all around us that our lifestyles are unsustainable. What will it take to change the way we live?

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.