Summer Weather: D-R-O-U-G-H-T

DROUGHT. Playing the UK version of 'Drought Word Association' brings up the following: hosepipe bans, media headlines containing the words 'phew' & 'scorcher', ruined hanging baskets, brown lawns, empty reservoirs and discussions about watering plants with waste water/sharing baths. And, of course, climate change. Who knew… ?

Drought – with a capital ‘D’ - is an impending crisis for many in East Africa. Although Uganda is relatively secure in comparison, the outlook is both alarming & terrifying. It's not that there is zero rain, but it's the 'wrong sort of rain' (like the 'wrong sort of snow' in the UK). Ugandan friends describe the weather as just ‘not right’ and 'not like it used to be'. "It's not supposed to be like this."; drizzling when it should be hot, too hot & dry when it should be heavy rain, too much rain too early so seedlings are washed away, late rainy seasons and (shock) not even starting on the 'right' day. 

Watching the coverage of the extreme UK heatwave from Uganda has been reminiscent of watching Covid develop from afar in 2020 - surreal and compulsive to watch. For the last two months, the UK has been significantly and consistently hotter than Uganda. However, Uganda is a nation of farmers. Everyone has their own ‘garden’ to grow their own food & crops, in order to survive, rather than being a retail based economy. It's a far cry from recreational gardening for soft fruit and salad. 

Back to playing  the 'word association' game. The Ugandan version is often one simple, connected response. 'Drought leads to famine which can lead to death'. Any primary child will tell you. These days, both young and old will also now talk about the effect of climate change. And it's not like it used to be.......