Too much rain? Now how about too little?

While climate change has caused heavy storms and flooding in some parts of the globe, it has led to serious droughts in others. The drought which has hit East Africa, for example, has decimate the herds of livestock of the region's pastoralists. Even the most resistant camels are dying.

The livestock of the herdsmen in the Turkana district in Kenya have become so fragile (see photos below) that they are left with the painful options of (1) selling them for much less than the market price, (2) slaughtering them to salvage some revenue before it gets too late, or (3) watching them die for no return. Not much of a choice, especially the second one. As Kephas Indangasi of Vets Without Borders said: "For a Turkana to bring their goats to slaughter is like putting their life on the line."

Pastoralism has been a way of life for the people of Turkana for thousands of years, but many have now been forced to abandon their lifestyle. And their situation is predicted to get even worse because the climate is changing. As Joseph Elim of Riam Riam, the organisation which aims to protest the interests of these people said: "We can no longer predict the rainfall patterns. Temperatures have also increased as well as diseases. And when rainfall comes we get floods. If that is what is called climate change then it is here with us now."