Impacts of climate change on the health and wellbeing of agro-pastoral communities

Climate change studies show that health and environmental related risks will be increased in the near future. However, the impacts of climate change will vary depending on local biophysical and social conditions. A study involving 640 households was conducted in 2013 to assess the impacts of changing climate on the health and wellbeing of agro-pastoral communities in Sembabule, Soroti, Nakasongola and Rakai districts in Uganda. The study showed that  severe water shortage impacted  domestic use,  loss of crops, and high mortality  of livestock ; increased incidence of malaria and other water-related diseases; and migration in search of water and pasture. The availability of water for human and livestock consumption diminished for 60% of respondents in Sembabule, 43% in Nakasongola, 34% in Soroti, and 27% in Rakai districts compared to the 1980s and 1990s.  The major livelihoods, crop farming (61%) and livestock (25%), are crucially dependent on the availability of rainfall. Heavy floods washed away crops and prolonged soil saturation significantly affected crop growth and increased the breeding of mosquitoes in Soroti district. During prolonged dry periods in Nakasongola district, termites attacked crops, pasture, and trees (corroborated by other research). Roads and houses were destroyed due to flooding, hailstorm, thunderstorms, and termites.  Temperature and rainfall projections by the study for mid- and end-century applying greenhouse gas concentration pathways RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 show a maximum temperature rise (1.46 – 3.61^o C) and varying increments of increase in rainfall resulting in droughts and floods which will affect the health and wellbeing of these communities.