Climate change is no longer just a future concern; it’s affecting us right now. In Malawi, we see the impact in devastating ways. From Cyclone Idai in 2019 to Cyclone Freddy in 2023, these storms have ripped apart communities, destroyed homes, and left families in dire need of food and shelter.
These disasters aren’t random; they’re part of a troubling trend. Climate change is turning into one of the biggest public health issues we face today. Yet, many of our responses seem superficial, aimed more at visibility than real change.
Take tree-planting campaigns, for example. They’re a common sight every rainy season. Schools and communities come together to plant thousands of seedlings. Officials make grand speeches. Donors snap photos. But once the rains stop, many of these young trees wither away, unwatered and uncared for. In Mchinji District, this has led to dismal survival rates under the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme.
This cycle of wasted effort is concerning. For a nation already struggling with poverty and food security, investing millions in climate projects that don’t succeed is both inefficient and unjustifiable. Tree-planting alone won’t save us. It’s easy to plant a seed; the true challenge lies in helping it grow.
If we genuinely want to shield Malawians from the health effects of climate change, we need a new strategy. Communities should be at the heart of climate action, not just passive recipients of aid. When people engage in solving their issues, they’re more likely to find solutions that last.
One encouraging example is the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome (MLW) Research Programme’s Climate Change and Health project. Using a method called photovoice, they let community members document their lives post-Cyclone Freddy. The results were striking: children studying in ruins, women walking long distances for clean water, and families affected by flooding. These stories show that climate change isn’t just a statistic; it’s hunger and displacement.
Women and girls feel the brunt of these changes the most. When water sources dry up, it’s often women who must travel farther, putting themselves at risk. When food is scarce, it’s mothers who go without. Climate change deepens existing inequalities; it’s not gender-neutral.
This is why our strategies must be well-rounded and inclusive. We need to empower communities, support women, and protect the vulnerable. Policies should achieve more than just meeting donor requirements; they should aspire to real change.
Leaders should judge their success not by how many trees were planted, but by how many survive, how many children are healthy, and how many families avoid hunger and disease. Climate change is the biggest challenge of our generation. We must be honest about our efforts and pursue innovative, community-led solutions.
The fight against climate change is a shared responsibility. It requires individuals making sustainable choices, governments enforcing climate-resilient policies, and the international community fulfilling its obligations on climate finance. Only through collective effort can Malawi protect its people and ensure a sustainable future.
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climate change,Emmanuel Harawa,Health
