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Dr. António Queface
The planet is increasingly suffering from the impacts of climate change. This is due to various factors, among which is the significant population increase observed in the 20th century, when the number of people rose from 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion.
The above data was recently presented by the academic António Queface during an inaugural lecture at the Polytechnic University in Maputo, titled \'Climate Change: Prevention is Better than Cure.
The professor said that climate change is profound and comprehensive. It affects everything from food and water security to biodiversity and human health. Therefore, he advocates for a proactive and preventive approach to reduce damage and ensure a sustainable future.\"
He emphasized that population growth has brought severe consequences for the environment. Examples of this are pollution, deforestation, soil impoverishment, and pressure on natural resources. One can also mention the emergence of social problems such as hunger and various types of conflicts. For these and other reasons, climate change has become the most significant challenge of the 21st century.
António Queface emphasized the importance of adopting sustainable patterns of production and consumption, as well as the relevance of implementing policies and practices that promote environmental preservation and mitigate climate change. The alert is a call to urgent action for the world through international cooperation, political commitment, and investment in sustainable solutions.
INCREASE IN GLOBAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
To illustrate how vulnerable the world is, the lecturer referred to the IPCC 2023 report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), which highlights the alarming reality of the global average temperature being 1.1 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period, mainly due to human activities.
The IPCC 2023 warns that exceeding the 1.5°C limit could result in severe consequences such as accelerated glacier melting, sea-level rise, intensification of extreme weather events, heatwaves, and intense storms, with adverse impacts on biodiversity and food security.
He said it is imperative to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities, including burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and intensive agricultural practices. This requires urgent implementation of policies and practices that promote the transition to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and widespread adoption of low-carbon technologies in all sectors of the global economy.
The IPCC emphasizes that collective and decisive action by governments, businesses, and civil society is essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the planet. The goals set by the IPCC include peaking GHG emissions by 2025, reducing them by half by 2030, and achieving net-zero emissions by around 2050.
MOZAMBIQUE IS NOT LEFT OUT
António Queface considers that Mozambique faces the impacts of climate change due to phenomena such as rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and unpredictable weather patterns. This significantly increases the risk of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which negatively affect food production and the availability of clean water.
Adaptation and mitigation measures, he emphasized, are essential to address these urgent challenges. He challenges universities and institutions to prepare individuals for future challenges, as it is not only about providing academic knowledge but also equipping students with the skills and mindset necessary to deal with climate change.
Universities should also address environmental issues to \'cultivate\' a new generation of leaders and professionals capable of promoting a more sustainable and resilient future.
By Renaldo Manhice
