Author: Gorret Nabukenya Affiliation: Widows Association Email:[email protected]/[email protected] Tel: 256-774715385

Title: The relationship between population growth rate and climate change in District-.

Objective: To establish the relationship between population growth and climate change in ,Eastern Uganda.

Introduction: Climate change in lay man’s language is the general change in the rainy seasons, planting seasons as to people in Kibuku District. Population growth rate is the speed at which the population increases over a given period of time. There is a remarkable relationship between population growth and climate change more so in the developing world. The high fertility rate in the world more so in the developing countries has greatly contributed to the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. World population is projected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050 with most of this growth in developing countries. The study was conducted in 10 sub counties of Kibuku District that is Bulangira, , Kadama, Kirika, Kabweri, Kibuku Township, Kagumu, Buseta, Kasasira and Nabuli. The study was basically to establish the root causes and effects of climate change then find appropriate solutions.

Results: 1352 respondents (902 Female, 450 Male) were reached by the use of the various means about the issue of population growth and climate change.1002 said that the area is commonly faced with famine due to change in seasons with longer dry seasons. Most of them attributed the change in climate to over deforestation that was carried out in search for fuel that is charcoal and firewood which is 99% of the fuel types commonly used. 163 said that the increased pressure on the same piece of land has destroyed the ecological system leading to poor yields, famine and some common diseases.187 people said that it was change in God’s plan and so God has a plan for everything. 67% of the respondents said that the trends can be reversed if the government can work with them to reduce on the population growth rate and thus reduce pressure on natural resources and most of them recommended the safer family planning services.

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The Bar graph below shows the attributed factors to climate change in Kibuku District, Eastern Uganda.

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Deforrestation 600 Over Cultivation Ancestral Spirits 400 God's plan

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Methodology: Focus group discussions, observation, interviews, storytelling were all the methods that were used due to the

Conclusion: The high climate change has been greatly promoted by humans as a result of the high population growth rate. It was discovered that there is need to get an alternative fuel source especially in the rural settings other than firewood and charcoal in the urban centers to reduce on tree exploitation.

Recommendations: The countries more so in the developing countries should encourage voluntary family planning services seeking behavoiur as a means to reduce population growth which will also in the long run over come the tremendous climate change.

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