By Godwin Gumbo

In the scorching heat of Zimbabwe’s rural communities in places like Tjankwa, Dombodema, and Kezi are experiencing harsher dry spells, unpredictable rain patterns, and withering crops. While many villagers attribute these changes to ancestral displeasure or shifting seasons, few are aware of a silent enemy high above — ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

These invisible chemicals, often used in refrigeration, air conditioning, industrial solvents, and some agricultural sprays, are not only thinning the ozone layer but are also contributing to climate change. The ozone layer, which sits high in the Earth’s atmosphere, acts like a giant umbrella, shielding the planet from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. When ODS are released — often through leaky fridges or improper disposal of old appliances — they rise up and break down this protective layer.

In response, the sun hits harder. UV levels increase, raising surface temperatures, destroying crop productivity, and even increasing the risk of skin conditions and eye diseases — all of which are already being quietly felt in Zimbabwe’s countryside.

For communities in remote areas, the issue goes deeper. Most households in rural Zimbabwe rely on second-hand fridges, often imported from other countries from families abroad. These units usually use outdated gases like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) — some of the worst ozone offenders. Without proper awareness or regulation, many of these appliances are kept running for years, slowly leaking harmful gases into the atmosphere.

That lack of awareness is one of the biggest challenges, according to officials from the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife. Through the National Ozone Unit, Zimbabwe has committed to phasing out ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol, a global agreement adopted in 1987. While the country has made major strides in replacing harmful gases with safer alternatives in formal industries, rural communities remain largely left behind.

The climate impact of these substances is a double edged sword, not only do they deplete the ozone layer, but many are also powerful greenhouse gases — meaning they trap heat in the atmosphere just like carbon dioxide. So while a single broken fridge might seem small, when multiplied across thousands of households, the result is significant.

And yet, it is the rural farmers, the cattle herders, and the children walking to school in the heat who bear the brunt of the crisis.

Zimbabwe’s dry regions like Matabeleland South are already climate-vulnerable. Lower rainfall, scorching sun, and failed harvests push families deeper into poverty. What many don’t realize is that something as small as a leaking fridge or poorly discarded spray can and may be contributing to these bigger environmental shifts.

In light of this, the National Ozone Unit has begun working with customs officials and technicians to control the entry of second-hand equipment and train people to handle refrigerants safely. However, much more needs to be done to reach the grassroots.

Community radio stations and various stakeholders emerge as key players in spreading information about ozone-depleting substances and how to handle them. Empowering villagers with knowledge — from recognizing harmful appliances to safely disposing of them — could turn passive victims into active climate defenders.The fight against climate change is evidently not just about planting trees or using solar panels. Sometimes, it begins with knowing what’s inside your fridge — and understanding how the invisible can shape the weather above your home.