CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION: THREATS AND CHALLENGES TO LIVELIHOODS IN ZIMBABWE

Climate change is a topical issue and Zimbabwe in sub ? Saharan Africa, has been experiencing a marked shift from its normal climate. Droughts are now more frequent and wet seasons shorter. Floods have also become more intense whenever they take place and this has threatened livelihoods of the poor people in the country. But those affected most by climate change are the same people who least understand the phenomenon. Climate change is also associated with other hazards such as land degradation, veld fires, and siltation. Essentially, all sectors of the society end up being affected. This paper, traces the capacity of Zimbabwe to handle climate related disasters in terms of mitigation and adaptation strategies as well as the gaps that exist in addressing climate related problems. This paper also analyses why a climatic phenomenon may come to be regarded as a hazard and why some people become vulnerable. Examples are extracted from Matabeleland, in South West Zimbabwe primarily because it is the region that is hard hit by unfavourable weather conditions.