Africa - Climate Change

Africa - Climate Change

1. Situated South of Europe, West of Asia and East of South America

2. Covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the Earth's land mass

3. Around 30.2 km sq in land size

4. Africa contains 54 countries including Madagascar

5. Mediterranean sea (North)

6. Indian Ocean, Red sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian sea (East)

7. Mozambique channel (South-east)

8. South Atlantic Ocean (South-west)

9. Gulf of Guinea (West)

10. North Atlantic ocean (North-west)

11. Contributes least to the enhanced greenhouse effect

12. Suffer the most as a result of global warming

13. Most of the African population relies on climate-sensitive resources such as local water and eco-systems

14. Has a limited ability to adapt to climate change

15. 2/3 of African countries are within the world's 50 poorest countries

16. 34% of the population ages 15-24 are illiterate

17. Poor economy 1/3 live in absolute poverty

18. It has been predicted that in Africa there will be an overall increase of 3-4 degrees above the global average by 2100

19. In the regional section along the equatorial parts of Africa rainfall is likely to increase - However will decrease in the North and South

20. As rainfall becomes more variable, competition for water is likely to arise between countries, particularly when Africa's largest rivers such as the Nile cross national borders

21. As scarcity increases, so does dependence on poor-quality sources

22. Increase in water borne diseases such as cholera, this therefore puts more pressure on heath-care systems and government budgets

23. Most of the African continent is dependent on agriculture and will be affected by decreased rainfall

24. In 2007 it was said that 14 African countries were suffering from water scarcity and by 2032 11 more countries will join them

25. Half of the African population are earning less than $1 a day

26. Political turmoil within Africa could mean that the correct responses are not made

27. More than 60% of world population growth between 2008 - 2100 will be in sub-Saharan Africa

28. 75% of African population live in rural areas

29. 1/3 of the population are living in drought prone areas

30. More than 1/4 of the population live along the coast therefore will be affected by sea level rise

31. Africa is already struggling with health problems with two million people dying from aids each year

32. Low life expectancy and high infant mortality

33. Weak governance

34. Much has been invested in Africa in terms of capacity building, but more is needed to enhance the adaptive capacity of businesses and individuals

35. Deteriorating ecological base

36. Widespread poverty

37. Inequitable land distribution

38. High dependence on natural resource base

39. Improving adaptive capacity is important in order to reduce vulnerability to climate change

40. Lack of clean secure water

41. Lack of water for subsistence farmers

42. Population growth of 3%

43. Rapid urbanisation leads to more people becoming vulnerable

44. Poor quality of housing in high risk locations

45. Food insecurity

46. Corrupt governments

47. Low literacy

48. Widespread ill health AIDS/HIV/Malaria/Cholera

49. Many live below the poverty line ($1 a day)

50. Environmental degration

51. Demand outweighs the supply of water for 25% of Africans

52. Water stress could lead to wars, global migration and famine

53. Movement of environmental refugees from the countryside puts pressure on coastal zones

54. 60% of Africans live in coastal zones, many of which are at risk from erosion and flooding

55. If the coastal zones were flooded, much of the continent's infrastructure of roads, bridges and buildings would also be lost

56. 70% of the population are subsistence farms

57. Water supplies dry up

58. Pasture quality deteriorate or crops fail

59. Increased locust plagues may threaten food supplies

60. Inadequate health care systems

61. Malaria free highland areas in Ethiopia, Kenya Rwanda and Burundi could also experience incidences of malaria by 2050s, with the conditions for transmission becoming highly suitable

62. Having to export their products at a low price due to unjust trading systems

63. The burden of un-payable debt means that no money is available for the mitigation or the introduction of adaptation strategies

64. A study in Uganda concluded that an increase in temperature of an average of 2 degrees would drastically reduce the area suitable for growing Robusta coffee in Uganda, where it is a major export crop and limit growth to the highlands only

65. Water sources are becoming intermittent or disappearing; streams that used to run year-round are now seasonal

66. By 2020, 75-250 million people are estimated to be exposed to increased water stress as a result of climate change

67. Climate change will result in the loss of species and extinction of many plants

68. Changes in a variety of ecosystems are already being detected, particularly in Southern Africa - at a faster rate than anticipated

69. Highly diverse in fauna and flora

70. Africa contains about a fifth of all know species of plants, mammals and birds in the world, and a sixth of the amphibians and reptiles

71. Biological hotspots - Western Indian ocean islands, The Cape Region, The succulent Karoo (most species rich desert in the world), the upper Guinea forest and the Eastern Arc Mountain forests of East Africa

72. Climate change will trigger species migration

73. One study examining over 5,000 African plant species predicts that 81-97% of plant species' suitable habitats will decrease in size of shift due to climate change

74. By 2085 between 25% and 42% of the species's habitats are expected to be lost altogether

75. Equatorial Guinea may benefit financially due to better conditions

76. Tropical areas experience longer growing periods

77. Animals attracted to water wells

78. Increase in tourism