Africa and Climate Change

Climate change presents a multifaceted problem that poses an existential threat to humanity. Ironically, this threat is mainly self-afflicted and has thrived on political neglect and denial. Like the ostrich that buries its head in the sand and feels invisible, but when a sandstorm engulfs its environment, the ostrich will also be affected by it. Africa does not exist in a vacuum.

The impacts of climate change might be crawling in slowly, but they are undeniably real. Africa is undoubtedly grappling with the provision of basic needs of life for its population, but it will not be unaffected by the impacts of climate change. Africa is in a more dire situation now than ever before.

As a region, Africa has contributed the least to climate change triggers in terms of greenhouse gas emissions over the years. However, deforestation due to human activities in the region provides a favourable ground to usher in a new climate change “epidemic”.

Africa is host to the poorest and most vulnerable populations in the world. The impacts and the aftermaths of climate change are expected to have more devastating effects on these vulnerable populations in Africa, and such impact would be more evident in agricultural yields and the already abysmal health outcomes of the region.

Agriculture is the mainstay of livelihood for the majority of the over 1.2 billion population in Africa. It is mainly practised at a subsistence level and at varying small-scale productions with considerable reliance on the annual rainfall. The dependence on annual rainfall makes this means of livelihood most vulnerable and sensitive to the impacts of climate change, such as floods and droughts, which inadvertently threaten food security.

Closely related to food security is the rate of malnutrition. Malnutrition is still prevalent in African countries. A study on the correlation between climate change and the rate of stunting among children in Kenya shows that climate change plays a substantial role in the increasing rate of stunting among children.

Another interesting but sad occurrence is the case of a double burden of disease. A double burden of disease is currently ravaging the region, which results from protracted infectious diseases and the rising cases of non-communicable diseases. This situation is about to take another daunting dimension with the impacts of climate change.

One of such protracted diseases is malaria. Malaria remains a significant public health issue in Africa, especially in the sub-Saharan region, where 92% of global malaria cases were recorded in 2017. Climate change is expected to affect the redistribution of mosquitoes responsible for malaria transmission and the subsequent increase in intensity and outbreaks in areas previously known as safe havens for malaria transmission.

Additionally, the economic burden of malaria is estimated at 1.3 per cent of the GDP in Africa. The projected impact of climate change will lead to an opportunity cost in terms of socio-economic development of the region, which further deepens the vicious cycle of poverty in the population.

The first step in mitigating the consequences of climate change is accepting this reality by the political gladiators. African government should, as a matter of urgency, develop policies in line with the Paris agreement to keep the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore, human activities are estimated to be responsible for a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperatures above the pre-industrial period. Activities such as indiscriminate land use, deforestation and use of fossil fuels such as coal affect the ecosystem’s biodiversity.

Addressing these activities involves an integrated and sustainable development approach. This approach includes concerted efforts to eradicate poverty, provide a better alternative as a livelihood, and promote affordable clean fuels to replace fossil fuels.

In conclusion, climate change is real and, indeed, an existential threat to the earth. Although yesterday was the best opportunity to tackle this menace, today presents us with an ample opportunity for the redemption of tomorrow.