In cheering the Paris pact, don’t forget feeble Namibia

Hokulea Hugs Drought-Stricken Namibian Coast.

After a successful dry-dock in Cape Town, South Africa, the Hokulea is now heading north, up the west coast of Namibia to Walvis Bay. It will then turn toward Brazil for the long Atlantic crossing. Cape Town marked the halfway point of Hokulea’s 3-1/2-year, around-the-world voyage, most of it by traditional wayfinding.

Cape Town, the southernmost city in Africa, is a pearl of modernity, and a model of reconciliation and social integration shepherded by Nelson Mandela and others. In contrast, Namibia, although free and democratic, is among the most sparsely populated and poorest countries in the world, with one of the lowest life expectancies. As if that weren’t enough, Namibia is in the midst of such a gripping drought that scientists are wondering whether the resultant enormous plumes of dust are worsening global warming or curbing it. The international agreement recently forged in Paris, with the intention of averting climate change, is truly a positive development, but Namibia must not be forgotten in the shuffle.

The Paris agreement includes a commitment by most of the world’s nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. This is an improvement on the 2-degree limit agreed upon in Copenhagen, Denmark, six years ago, but the blue planet has already warmed by 1 degree. Countries have promised to bring emissions from peak levels to “net-zero” somewhere between 2050 and 2100. This will be brought about not only by reducing the production of greenhouse gases but also through initiatives that recapture these emissions. The agreement is also dynamic insofar as each participant will review and expand its plan every five years.

A minimum of $100 billion per year will be made available to assist those countries in need of external resources. A process has been built in to offer financing for countries making the transition toward a smaller carbon footprint. Namibia would need $30 billion to reduce greenhouse emissions by 90 percent before 2030, according to its environment and tourism minister. For a country of only 2 million people with a GDP per capita of less than $6,000 per year, donor nations may find it difficult to justify the requested level of investment.

The Paris deal also includes a financial mechanism to support smaller, developing countries that face loss and damage as the result of extreme weather. This could dwarf Namibia’s financial request, for losses could dwarf the $30 billion proposal to lower emissions. In fact, the largest source of atmospheric dust in the Southern Hemisphere is the Etosha Pan, an extensive area of dry, baked aina in the heart of Namibia. The dust is visible from space. Satellites have shown these plumes being blown hundreds of miles across Namibia and out into the Atlantic. Scientists are trying to figure out if these plumes block out the sun’s rays and help avert global warming or rather work to trap greenhouse gases.

On the ground, the people of Namibia now bear the impact of extreme drought. During the past two years, over a half-million of its citizens have required emergency food aid. The Namibian government understands the implications of El Nino and knew this was coming. Preplanned emergency food aid was sent out as soon as it was needed, but its backup stores are nearly depleted and Namibia now resorts to importing 70 percent of its food. India has just given notice that it will curtail exports to Namibia, which underscores its vulnerability to global markets.

The country may be very poor, but its institutions are functioning toward the benefit of its society to the extent possible. Previously a German colony, Namibia is democratic and peaceful, has good online banking and reasonable infrastructure relative to its resources.

Still, life expectancy in Namibia is barely 50 years old. Fourteen percent of the population is infected by HIV. Unfortunately HIV increases susceptibility to malaria such that survival of co-infection by both illnesses is only 50 percent. The entire country has only several hundred physicians. As such, the medical and economic impact of HIV and malaria presents another gripping burden.

The mission of Hokulea’s around-the-world voyage, Malama Honua, is to exchange stories of hope about caring for the blue planet and its peoples. Namibia’s story is special. It is of a peaceful, cooperative people with few resources who are bearing the brunt of climate change and doing their level best. This remote African nation must be remembered.

Ira “Kawika” Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA, is a practicing physician. He is medical director of Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. He is now serving on board the Hokulea as medical officer during its Atlantic crossing. Manakai remains open with full services during this time. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com