Deep in the valleys and mountains of Mahwemasimike, in Honde Valley, the brunt of climate change is reaching a fever pitch level. Jokoniya (not his real name) is a young eight year old child who has started brick moulding, in order to supplement household income. The valley precincts are located very close to neighbouring Mozambique, such that some people travel back and forth to look for livelihood in both countries.
Jokoniya has had to start fending for the family through brick moulding due to the fact that it is not possible to do effective rain-fed agriculture due to climate change and shift in weather patterns and also his parents are not staying with him. He must take care of himself and his siblings.
Children bear the brunt of climate change especially if their parents are deceased or abandon them due to domestic disputes. International sustainability frameworks aim to protect young children from strenuous work. The current patterns of climate change put such children in a place of hard rock as they try to establish livelihoods options in the age of climate change.
Crops normally grown in the area include maize, yams, sugarcane, sugar beans. Bananas and avocados are also available in the area. Stronger support mechanisms for climate adaptation, climate smart agriculture are necessary in order to ensure that there is optimum use of soil moisture and there is increased output of produce and revenue.
For young children like Jokoniya, climate change has brought a situation needing drastic action of work activities, some which are not agro-based. The Green Business Gazette in the latest issue of “Climate Change and Children” urges families to prioritise education of children and climate mitigation and adaptation strategies which promote sustainable socio-economic development.
As the world darts towards a 2 degrees celsius increased mark, it is becoming clear that more young children will have to take a route which puts them at risk of hard labour.
Failing to address the issue of climate change results in children venturing into activities such as brick moulding and illegal mining, just to ensure that they get resources for survival.
