My Struggle for Survival: Albinism and Climate Justice

Posted May 18, 2022

My Name is Brenda Mhlanga and I am living with Albinism.

One of the most recurring questions in my mind as a young kid growing up with albinism was, ‘ Does God favour some and hate some?”. If God loves all people equally then why did He allow nature to hate us so much?” I still remember with so much pain how my skin used to hurt after a little exposure in the sun. I was young and never understood why the natural sun which was meant to beautify nature by its beautiful rays can be a true enemy to me and my well being. I watched the sunflowers once they start blooming, following the sun all day, and it was majestic. Any other flowers tended to open up and shine at sun rise, yet for me it was time to ‘take cover.’

Albinism is a disorder in the genes that are responsible for the production of melanin a pigment that gives colour to the skin, the hair and the eyes, hence my pale skin .People with albinism have skin that is very sensitive to light and sun exposure. Sunburn is one of the most serious complications associated with albinism because it can increase the risk of developing skin cancer and sun damage-related thickening of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region are the most frequently diagnosed cancers among people with albinism in our environment which is likely due to continuous exposure to the sun.

Cancer cases for people with albinism are on the peak daily. Global warming and climate change are causing increase in temperatures and incidences of heat waves, this will worsen the situation. The only available relief is the use of sunscreen, but sunscreen products are expensive and out of reach, On average , 1 bottle of Nivea ranges from $14 to about $35 or more and it lasts for about 2 weeks so one need about 2 bottles per month, that’s a budget of about $28 to $70 per month. People with albinism live in poverty as many African fathers cannot accept the birth of child with Albinism. Children with albinism are often raised by single parents who cannot afford or/and access sun screen products, hence the increase in cancer incidences.

l am a bit older now but my head is still full of questions and this time they are even heavier within my heart.

With the continued rise in temperatures, are we not going towards a major extinction of the albinism community?

What are the maximum temperatures that can totally eradicate us from this planet?

If everyone else is complaining about increase in temperatures what about us who were already victims of the normal temperatures?

Up to how many degrees above normal can our skin endure?

With the COPs and the whole world advocating for temperatures to be kept under 1, 5 °C, as the albinism community we are advocate for something way lower in order for us to survive. Whilst environmentalists are advocating for nature, we are advocating for our lives and we must win the battle.

When I was young they used to feel pity for me and I would cry myself out BUT now, should I continue to cry?

Should we feel sorry for ourselves?

Should we blame God?

And if we blame God what are we blaming Him for? Creating me or creating the sun?

Whilst we can mourn and wail the fact remains that we must take action.

Being part of the Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Team has taught me that climate change effects can only be reduced by taking the world to its original state.

When we plant trees, we are planting life, when we reduce carbon emissions we increase life. If us, who know how it hurts to be sunburnt can use that experience to teach others l am sure we can reduce the effects of climate change in our world and live in harmony with nature again…