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S. Kusangaya et al.
below 600 mm. Thus the impacts of climate variability are likely to be severest.
In light of this, completion of overdue dams, construction of other water infrastructure and establishment of irrigation infrastructure to support agriculture need
to be seriously considered in order to support small holder irrigation schemes, so
as to ensure food security. (4) Similarly, for electricity generation, due to rainfall
variability and increased temperatures, available water for electricity generation is
likely to be reduced. This is particularly severe for dry season flows, since for hydroelectric power generation, a low threshold of water levels must not be exceeded
for continual power generation. When exceeded, power generation becomes unsustainable. A typical implication associated with this deduction is faltering electricity
production, as is the current case in Zimbabwe- 2019. The Zimbabwe Electricity
Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) issued a statement on their social
media platform acknowledging the high electricity demand in the Zimbabwe and
warning citizens of potential power cuts. From whence, a power cut schedule has
since been developed and followed strictly. Thus alternative power sources such as
solar, need to be seriously considered. (5) Lastly, the implications of these changes on
agriculture and food security must be emphasised. Planting dates become unsteady
due, for example, to the shift in the rainfall season onset. Thus, when these underlying
fundamental processes for agriculture are subject to change, food security is heavily
compromised and food shortage is probable. Thus, changes in climatic patterns may
be a basis for changes in growing patterns, that is, moving from growing a particular
crop in a region which it was suitable before to another area which may seem to
possess the suitable conditions. As such new crop varieties (genetically modified)
have to be seriously considered.
References
Aguilar E, Aziz Barry A, Brunet M, Ekang L, Fernandes A, Massoukina M, Mbah J, Mhanda A, do
Nascimento DJ, Peterson TC, Thamba Umba O, Tomou M, Zhang X (2009). Changes in temperature and precipitation extremes in western central Africa, Guinea Conakry, and Zimbabwe,
1955–2006. J Geophys Res Atmos 114(D02115):1–11
Allen MR, Ingram WJ (2002) Constraints on future changes in climate and the hydrologic cycle.
Nature 419(6903):224–232
Arnell NW (1999) Climate change and global water resources. Glob Environ Chang 9(1):S31–S49
Ashton PJ, Love D, Mahachi H, Dirks P (2001) An overview of the impact of mining and mineral
processing operations on water resources and water quality in the Zambezi, Limpopo and Olifants
Catchments in Southern Africa. In: Contract report to the mining, minerals and sustainable development (Southern Africa) Project, by CSIR-Environmentek, Pretoria and Geology Department,
University of Zimbabwe-Harare. Report No. ENV-PC, vol 42
Banze F, Jiali G, Shi X (2017) Variability and trends of rainfall, precipitation and discharges over
zambezi river basin, Southern Africa: review. Int J Hydrol 2:2
Bathiany S, Dakos V, Scheffer M, Lenton TM (2018) Climate models predict increasing temperature
variability in poor countries. Sci Adv 4(5):eaar5809
Bullock A (1992) Dambo hydrology in Southern Africa—review and reassessment. J Hydrol 134(1–
4):373–396
S. Kusangaya et al.
below 600 mm. Thus the impacts of climate variability are likely to be severest.
In light of this, completion of overdue dams, construction of other water infrastructure and establishment of irrigation infrastructure to support agriculture need
to be seriously considered in order to support small holder irrigation schemes, so
as to ensure food security. (4) Similarly, for electricity generation, due to rainfall
variability and increased temperatures, available water for electricity generation is
likely to be reduced. This is particularly severe for dry season flows, since for hydroelectric power generation, a low threshold of water levels must not be exceeded
for continual power generation. When exceeded, power generation becomes unsustainable. A typical implication associated with this deduction is faltering electricity
production, as is the current case in Zimbabwe- 2019. The Zimbabwe Electricity
Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) issued a statement on their social
media platform acknowledging the high electricity demand in the Zimbabwe and
warning citizens of potential power cuts. From whence, a power cut schedule has
since been developed and followed strictly. Thus alternative power sources such as
solar, need to be seriously considered. (5) Lastly, the implications of these changes on
agriculture and food security must be emphasised. Planting dates become unsteady
due, for example, to the shift in the rainfall season onset. Thus, when these underlying
fundamental processes for agriculture are subject to change, food security is heavily
compromised and food shortage is probable. Thus, changes in climatic patterns may
be a basis for changes in growing patterns, that is, moving from growing a particular
crop in a region which it was suitable before to another area which may seem to
possess the suitable conditions. As such new crop varieties (genetically modified)
have to be seriously considered.
References
Aguilar E, Aziz Barry A, Brunet M, Ekang L, Fernandes A, Massoukina M, Mbah J, Mhanda A, do
Nascimento DJ, Peterson TC, Thamba Umba O, Tomou M, Zhang X (2009). Changes in temperature and precipitation extremes in western central Africa, Guinea Conakry, and Zimbabwe,
1955–2006. J Geophys Res Atmos 114(D02115):1–11
Allen MR, Ingram WJ (2002) Constraints on future changes in climate and the hydrologic cycle.
Nature 419(6903):224–232
Arnell NW (1999) Climate change and global water resources. Glob Environ Chang 9(1):S31–S49
Ashton PJ, Love D, Mahachi H, Dirks P (2001) An overview of the impact of mining and mineral
processing operations on water resources and water quality in the Zambezi, Limpopo and Olifants
Catchments in Southern Africa. In: Contract report to the mining, minerals and sustainable development (Southern Africa) Project, by CSIR-Environmentek, Pretoria and Geology Department,
University of Zimbabwe-Harare. Report No. ENV-PC, vol 42
Banze F, Jiali G, Shi X (2017) Variability and trends of rainfall, precipitation and discharges over
zambezi river basin, Southern Africa: review. Int J Hydrol 2:2
Bathiany S, Dakos V, Scheffer M, Lenton TM (2018) Climate models predict increasing temperature
variability in poor countries. Sci Adv 4(5):eaar5809
Bullock A (1992) Dambo hydrology in Southern Africa—review and reassessment. J Hydrol 134(1–
4):373–396