Veldfires and climate change

To date, Zimbabwe has lost One Hundred and seventeen (117) people who died inferno since 2005 to date at the same time destroying millions worth of property and the environment. Three (3) of the lives were lost this current season.

Veld fires, also known as forest fires, grass fires, or bush fires are uncontrolled, rapidly spreading fire and often occurring in wild land areas.

Veldfires can occur due to natural processes but many cases of veldfire outbreak are man-made originating from careless and reckless human behavior. They are a result of runaway fires when people get involved in:

Bee smoking for honey harvesting

Land clearing

Lightining

Hunting

Picnics

Other known caused associated with reckless behavior such are; disposal of kindled cigarettes stub, children playing with fire or matches and disposal of home ash with some burning charcoals.

Climate change has been a part of the agenda at Conference of Parties by the Heads of States on global discourse on environmental and social issues.

Of concern are the predicted impacts of the global warming and climate change on the planet and human system. Though climate change is caused by many factors, veldfires have been one of the most overshadowed but it is one of the leading factor in climate change.

Contribution of veld fires to climate change

The extreme veldfires that have been witnessed in the country in this fire season are not only causing destruction of forest, wild animals and property but they play a part in a much bigger phenomenal called global warming which in turn resulted in climate change.

Veldfires releases greenhouses gases which has an everlasting impact to the atmosphere and the climate.

These dangerous gases which include carbon dioxide, volatile organic particles called aerosols, including substances like black carbon and gases that form ozone.

Vegetation regulates carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through carbon sequestration.

Removal of vegetation in form of veldfires mean that there is reduction in carbon sequestration from the atmosphere, and the smoke produced in those fires produce massive carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas causing global warming.

Also, veldfires disturb the water cycle which is one of the important stages in the hydrological stages in evapotranspiration. Burning of these plants reduces the amount of moisture being released through evapotranspiration, and translates to low rainfall.

Climate change increases the scale and the rate of fire appearances. Veld fires don’t just happen, they are result from human activities.

As Zimbabweans, lets us be responsible and avoid run away fires.

No Fire is allowed outside residential or commercial premises during this time of the year till the onset of the rainy season.

Play your part, protect the environment, save life and property.  A veld fire free Zimbabwe is our collective responsibility.

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