Earth Institute News Archive
posted 10/02/06
Ghanaian Student Seeks Answers to Native Country’s Climate Problems
Climate and Society student Ken Hunu is looking for solutions to the water shortage problem in his native Ghana.
Ken Hunu, a first-year Columbia University Climate and Society M.A. student, is talking about the rainy season in his native Ghana. "There has been considerable change," he says. "The dates on which you expect the rains have shifted, making the dry season longer. And the rains don't bring enough water for the farmers."
Changes such as this are becoming increasingly common around the world, and programs like Columbia’s Climate and Society master’s program are providing crucial information to people such as Hunu, who has seen his country struggle firsthand with this growing problem.
"Climate change has a direct influence on the amount of water available for community use," says Hunu. "In the rainy season, the water goes to waste — there are not enough storage facilities in Ghana. And when there is not enough water, the crop yield is low."
With the help of a Pulitzer scholarship, Hunu is able to participate in this unique academic program, which teaches students to understand and cope with the impacts of climate variability and climate change on society and the environment.
The year's Climate and Society class includes 17 students from 8 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Ghana, Palestine, Switzerland, and the United States.
"The need to account for the impacts of climate on society is already acute, and continues to grow as human activity changes the earth's climate," says Mark Cane, director of the Climate and Society master's program. "This is particularly true for tropical countries. Our program gives students the knowledge and skills to meet this need."
And what do Ghanaians think of climate change?
"I have had the opportunity to talk about climate change with some of the academics in Ghana," says Hunu. "There are contrasting views on this issue. Most of them think it is a natural occurrence, and only a few actually think human activities could be the cause."
Hunu thinks Ghanaians should be more concerned. "Climate change is one of the very last things on the minds of most nonscientists in Ghana."
He may be able to change that. Hunu plans to pursue a Ph.D. in water resource engineering to bring solutions back to his native country, such as improvements in water storage.
For now, he is a typical student in New York, struggling with the expense and bustle of the city. "I like the diversity of culture which makes it easy for a foreigner to live here," he said. "But what I don’t get is the kind of dish I like."
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