Does Specialising In Science Significantly Influence Proficiency In Process Skills Approach To Teaching Environmental Science By Trainee (Primary) Teachers?

A journal article.The objective of this study was to find out if specializing in science significantly influenced proficiency in process skills approach to teaching of Environmental Science (ES) by trainee primary teachers. The sample included 123 final year students from three teachers’ colleges. Data collection strategies employed include (i) Questionnaires, (ii) A test on integrated process skills (TIPS), and (iii) Analysis of ES lesson observation critiques. The study established that (i) There was no significant difference in performance between main subject' students and non-main subject students, in both TIPS test and teaching of ES (ii) Training appeared not to give main subject students confidence to act as ES resource persons

Use Of Satellite Imagery In Interpreting Environmental Change: The Case Of Chivi Communal Lands

A ZJER research article.This article describes how a Spot Satellite imagery was used to describe and interpret the state of the environment in Chivi Communal Lands (Please note that the satellite imagery used by the author was in full color, but the one which appears in this publication is in black and white due to financial constraints). Various map types and aerial photographs were used as complementary sources of data as well as the alternative for "ground truthing". It was established that the Spot I Satellite imagery clearly picked out various aspects of the environment in Chivi Communal Lands such as silted rivers, over exposed soils, settlements, different terrain types, vegetation, and infrastructure like roads. The imagery can therefore serve as a predictor of the state of the environment at the time it was taken. It can thus serve as a tool for promoting environmental education at school. Through environmental education, we can promote positive and responsible attitudes towards the environment. Environmental education in Zimbabwe is formalized through incorporating environmental concepts and issues in curriculum at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Because satellite remote sensing is increasingly becoming an important tool for environmental surveillance, change detection, and planning in Zimbabwe, teachers at high school and those responsible for teacher training are encouraged to incorporate this technique of describing the environment into their environmental education courses

How climate change influences the disease burden : the case of meningitis in northern Benin and malaria in Zimbabwe

The paper uses two case studies to investigate the effects of climate change on health: meningococcal disease and meningitis in Benin, and malaria in Zimbabwe. After elaborating on the nature of climate sensitive diseases, a number of recommendations are made in order to reduce occurrences and increases brought about by climate change. Location-specific manifestations of climate change determine interactions with, and effects on disease prevalence such as malaria, meningitis, and trypanosomiasis. Water borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery could experience a resurgence through a greater reproduction of different vectors (mosquitoes, flies)

Cotton farmers’ vulnerability to climate change in Gokwe District (Zimbabwe): impact and influencing factors

This study analyzes the vulnerability of cotton farmers to climate change in a cotton growing district in Zimbabwe. The vulnerability indicators studied include cotton output and farmers’ livelihoods from cotton farming. In order to examine climate variability and change, a time series analysis of two variables: temperature and rainfall was done for a period of 30 years, resulting in graphs of any climate anomalies. Correlation tests between the independent variable (the climate) and the dependent variable (cotton output) were assessed in order to examine the nature and the magnitude of the relationship between the two. The opinions of 100 randomly sampled farmers were analysed in an attempt to verify the climate scenarios and cotton production trends, as well as to understand their adaptation to climate change. Negative rainfall deviations from the long-term mean and positive temperature deviations dominated the climate trend scenarios’ results. Cotton production levels declined as precipitation decreased and temperatures increased across the district. The survey revealed that a significant number of farmers believed that temperatures were increasing and precipitation was declining. Farmers’ perceptions on whether the climate was changing were greatly influenced by incidences of drought and changes in the seasonal timing of rainfall, and in few cases unusual floods. The majority believed the frequency of droughts was increasing. While farmers were prepared to adapt to changes in climate, their options were very limited. The results show that farmers are highly vulnerable to climate change and that there is a need to invest in climate adaptation strategies, including policies on irrigation and early warning systems to help farmers to cope better and to reduce their vulnerability to climate change.https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v2i2.1