Experts say that the Rwanda’s fast growing economy could likely lose as high as 4.5 percent of GDP due to impact of climate change by 2030.
According to the research conducted to ascertain the World’s Vulnerable 20 says that the country’s variable climate patterns pose high risks of extreme weather such as droughts, floods which impact negatively on the economic growth.
With such variable patterns, the country research says is likely to face health impacts of climate change with increased incidences of malaria and hot and cold weather related epidemics.
“Rwanda is one of many countries that have contributed almost nothing to the problem of climate change, but will bear the brunt of its impacts,” said Amb. Claver Gatete, minister of Finance and economic planning in a statement.
The vulnerable 20 (V20) launched last month entails 19 countries and it aimed at strengthening economic and financial standards on climate change as well as provide new approaches to mitigate climate impacts in developing countries.
“By joining the V20, we are adding our voice to the message that the international community must do more to keep temperature rises below 1.5°C and support developing nations to adapt,” said the Minister.
Nevertheless, the country through several interventions such as poverty Environment Initiative has embarked on protecting its limited natural resources as well as ensuring that population activities do not impact on the climate.
“Climate change, deforestation and an imbalance between population growth and natural resources use are only some of the obstacles on our path.,” said Dr. Vicent Biruta, Minister of natural resources.
He adds, “It’s our conviction that by working together we will be able to overcome them.”
It is estimated that in absence of an effective global response, annual economic losses due to climate change are projected to exceed US$400 billion by 2030 for the Vulnerable 20 where Rwanda is also included.
Wataalamu wanasema uchumi wa Rwanda unaokua kwa kasi unaweza kupoteza asilimia 4.5 ya Pato la Taifa (GDP) kutokana na athari za mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa ifikapo 2030. Kulingana na utafiti uliofanywa ili kuamua hatari ya hali ya hewa ya nchi hiyo, hali ya hewa ya nchi hiyo ina hatari kubwa ya hali ya hewa mbaya kama vile ukame, mafuriko ambayo huathiri vibaya ukuaji wa uchumi. Kwa mifumo kama hiyo ya kubadilika, utafiti wa nchi unasema inawezekana kukabiliwa na athari za afya za mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na kuongezeka kwa visa vya malaria na magonjwa yanayohusiana na hali ya hewa ya joto na baridi. "Rwanda ni moja ya nchi nyingi ambazo hazijachangia chochote katika tatizo la mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, lakini zitabeba athari zake", alisema Amb. Claver Gatteghe, Waziri wa Fedha na Mipango ya Kiuchumi V20 (Vulnerable 20) ni kikundi cha nchi 19 na nchi zinazoendelea, ambacho kina lengo la kuimarisha viwango vya kiuchumi na kifedha juu ya mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na kutoa mbinu mpya za kupunguza athari za hali ya hewa katika nchi zinazoendelea. "Kwa kujiunga na V20, tunazidisha sauti yetu kwa ujumbe kwamba jamii ya kimataifa lazima ifanye zaidi kuweka ongezeko la joto chini ya 1.5 ° C na kusaidia mataifa yanayoendelea kukabiliana na hali hiyo, ""alisema Waziri." Hata hivyo, nchi kupitia hatua kadhaa kama vile mpango wa mazingira ya umaskini imeanza kulinda rasilimali zake za asili na kuhakikisha kwamba shughuli za idadi ya watu hazina athari kwa hali ya hewa. "Mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, ukataji misitu na ukosefu wa usawa kati ya ukuaji wa idadi ya watu na matumizi ya rasilimali za asili ni baadhi tu ya vikwazo kwenye njia yetu, "alisema Daktari Vicent Biruta, Waziri wa Rasilimali za Asili." "Amesema: ""Tunaamini kwamba kwa kufanya kazi pamoja tutaweza kuzishinda,"" akiongeza kuwa ""Ikiwa hakuna majibu ya kimataifa, hasara za kiuchumi za kila mwaka kutokana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa zinatarajiwa kuzidi dola bilioni 400 ifikapo 2030 kwa nchi 20 zilizo hatarini ambapo Rwanda pia ni pamoja."""