Alumni Publication: "Reimagining Agriculture as a Culprit and Victim of Climate Change in the Global Village" by Lt Col Thokozani Chazema
On 28 December 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published NESA Center alum Lt Col Thokozani Chazema's article, "Reimagining Agriculture as a Culprit and Victim of Climate Change in the Global Village."
ABSTRACT:
Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. However, in recent years consistent warming and rise in global temperature have resulted in visible impacts on the agriculture sector across the world. On one hand, agricultural activities have degraded the biosphere contributing indirectly to climate change. Climate change has caused extreme weather conditions such as floods, droughts, and heat waves that stress animal and crop husbandry, resulting in low production. Changes in climate patterns have induced the movement of pests and diseases to other regions that did not experience particular pests and diseases such as avian influenza. On the other hand, agricultural practices have contributed to soil depletion and degradation through continuous cropping and animal husbandry leading to loss of soil fertility, deforestation, water pollution, and acidification. Although deforestation increases photosynthesis on crops through carbon dioxide fertilization, the crop yields lack nutrient content and deforestation is a huge culprit of carbon dioxide emissions responsible for global warming and subsequent changes in climatic patterns. Paddy rice and livestock produce methane which is a critical greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. The agriculture sector in general accounts for approximately a quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide impacting on food and environmental security.
About the Author:
Lt Col Thokozani Chazema is the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Malawi Defence Force. He holds a BA in Security Studies, an MA in Defence and Strategic Studies, and an MA in Diplomacy and International Relations from Mzuzu University in Malawi. Chazema is currently a doctoral candidate focusing on the role of civil-military relations in a democratic Malawi from 1994-2024. He is a 2023 alum of the NESA Center.
The views presented in this article are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components.
