“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the 360 degree view of the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Climate Change
The rice in Salimu’s field glowed emerald. Salimu leaned on his hoe and mopped his face. He frowned. There was only just enough water in the field to prevent the plants drying out. The concrete tank he’d built to catch rain was only half full. Would there be enough for two crops in the year?
When he’d started farming, it had been easy. Meltwater running from the icefields of Kilimanjaro fed a brawling river. He’d taken all the water he needed without thought, with plenty left for his neighbours. Now the river was muddy and sluggish, and Salimu was careful to take no more than he needed.
He sighed. His neighbours had suggested trickle irrigation, but it cost so much to lay the pipes. Besides, he had heard that the water shortage was going to become worse with climate change.
Even trickle irrigation needs water.
How could he carry on?
Autumn Leaves 
Dear Penny,
The climate it is a-changing. I felt Salimu’s distress. Hard to irrigate without water mo matter how well laid are the pipes. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and commenting. This is essentially a true story, alas.
Shalom
Penny
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Hi Penny. Great to see you! This nicely brings to life one way climate change affects just one person. It feels very well researched–I like how you were able to weave your research into the narrative in in such an authentic way.
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Hi Karen
Thank you for reading and for your friendly greeting. It’s great to see you, too. I researched rice growing for my novel “The Owl on the Pergola” so I’ve had plenty of time to digest the information.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Climate change is bringing so much destruction and pain everywhere. Those who deny its existence are worried that they will have to give up certain luxuries. For someone like your character, the changes that are taking place may mean the difference between life and death.
~Cie from Naughty Netherworld Press~
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Dear Cara
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re absolutely right about the devastating impact of climate change, and not just on humans; everything from invertebrates to megafauna is being affected.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Well written. Indeed, hard times is coming.
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Dear Aak
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. You’re right, hard times is coming – and in some places the hard times have already come.
With very best wishes
Penny
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You did a great job expressing this man’s quiet despair and frustration over this existential crisis that will just keep getting worse for farmers all over the globe. In theory there should be other places that will become better to farm (if not nearly enough), but in practice, how does that help all those people who have their lives invested in these particular plots of land?
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Dear Joy
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. It’s always the personal that is overlooked when policy is being made, isn’t it?
With very best wishes
Penny
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