One of the challenges facing the continent of Africa, its leaders and the African Union (AU) is climate change.
Climate change is seen as the leading human and environmental crisis of the 21st century, as it constitutes unusual challenges to the survival of humans, animals, plant life and ecosystems.
It also threatens social and economic systems, while putting development gains at risk.
Africa and climate change
According to a report from CDP, Africa accounts for the smallest share of global greenhouse gas emissions, at just 3.8 percent, in contrast to 23 percent in China, 19 percent in the United States, and 13 percent in Europe.
Although Africa is currently responsible for an insignificant amount of total global greenhouse gas emissions, it is under significant threat from climate change.
Despite bearing the least responsibility for the problem, the continent already faces more severe climate change than other parts of the world.
According to the AU, Africa is more vulnerable to climate change due to the continent’s biophysical makeup as well as numerous socio-economic vulnerabilities.
These vulnerabilities include high dependence on rain-fed agriculture (and natural resource-based sectors broadly), a lack of alternative livelihood support, widespread poverty and inequality, weak adaptive capacity, low levels of education, and inequitable access to financial resources, credit, markets, and climate information services (CIS).
The severe effects of climate change on Africa poses general risks to its economies, infrastructure investments, water and food systems, public health, agriculture, and livelihoods.
According to the World Meteorological Association (WMA), the worsening crisis and looming famine in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa shows how climate change can intensify water shocks, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and destabilising communities, countries and entire regions.
The report from WMA also revealed that water stress and hazards like withering droughts and devastating floods are hitting African communities, economies and ecosystems hard.
Changes in precipitation levels, likely increase in temperature extremes and rising sea levels will have a wide range of direct and indirect impacts on Africa.
Increasingly, droughts, water scarcity and extreme weather events are threatening Africa’s ability to feed itself; therefore, it needs a network approach to food systems, energy, and climate.
COP 27
During the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, delegates from developing countries asked the countries responsible for the biggest emissions of greenhouse gases to pay for climate-related damages; in addition to any funds already pledged to help Africa cut emissions.
Unfortunately, global leaders so far have been slow in reacting to either demand.
African leaders should demand more in terms of funding to tackle the effects of climate change.
Available statistics show that meeting the goals set out in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of African countries would require additional funding of $41.3 billion each year.
There have been new funding commitments for Africa’s adaptation programme from western countries at the ongoing conference of parties (COP27) in Egypt, but more funding will be needed to achieve the target.
Calls to action
In order to adapt to future climate challenges, it is important for decision-makers in Africa to help reduce the negative consequences for society and, in particular, to protect vulnerable groups.
Countries like China and the United States are the heavy carbon emitters, and they have a moral obligation to help nations of Africa, particularly the rural areas of these countries to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Therefore, wealthy nations must step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present, and future impacts of climate change.
With Africa hosting COP27, it is hoped that addressing the continent’s climate needs will be high up on the agenda, and this will be the summit that finally delivers climate justice for Africa and vulnerable countries.
Photo source: CIFOR
