Africa - Climate Change

Situated South of Europe, West of Asia and East of South America
Covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the Earth's land mass
Around 30.2 km sq in land size
Africa contains 54 countries including Madagascar
Mediterranean sea (North)
Indian Ocean, Red sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian sea (East)
Mozambique channel (South-east)
South Atlantic Ocean (South-west)
Gulf of Guinea (West)
North Atlantic ocean (North-west)
Contributes least to the enhanced greenhouse effect
Suffer the most as a result of global warming
Most of the African population relies on climate-sensitive resources such as local water and eco-systems
Has a limited ability to adapt to climate change
2/3 of African countries are within the world's 50 poorest countries
34% of the population ages 15-24 are illiterate
Poor economy 1/3 live in absolute poverty
It has been predicted that in Africa there will be an overall increase of 3-4 degrees above the global average by 2100
In the regional section along the equatorial parts of Africa rainfall is likely to increase - However will decrease in the North and South
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
As scarcity increases, so does dependence on poor-quality sources
Increase in water borne diseases such as cholera, this therefore puts more pressure on heath-care systems and government budgets
Most of the African continent is dependent on agriculture and will be affected by decreased rainfall
In 2007 it was said that 14 African countries were suffering from water scarcity and by 2032 11 more countries will join them
Half of the African population are earning less than $1 a day
Political turmoil within Africa could mean that the correct responses are not made
More than 60% of world population growth between 2008 - 2100 will be in sub-Saharan Africa
75% of African population live in rural areas
1/3 of the population are living in drought prone areas
More than 1/4 of the population live along the coast therefore will be affected by sea level rise
Africa is already struggling with health problems with two million people dying from aids each year
Low life expectancy and high infant mortality
Weak governance
Much has been invested in Africa in terms of capacity building, but more is needed to enhance the adaptive capacity of businesses and individuals
Deteriorating ecological base
Widespread poverty
Inequitable land distribution
High dependence on natural resource base
Improving adaptive capacity is important in order to reduce vulnerability to climate change
Lack of clean secure water
Lack of water for subsistence farmers
Population growth of 3%
Rapid urbanisation leads to more people becoming vulnerable
Poor quality of housing in high risk locations
Food insecurity
Corrupt governments
Low literacy
Widespread ill health AIDS/HIV/Malaria/Cholera
Many live below the poverty line ($1 a day)
Environmental degration
Demand outweighs the supply of water for 25% of Africans
Water stress could lead to wars, global migration and famine
Movement of environmental refugees from the countryside puts pressure on coastal zones
60% of Africans live in coastal zones, many of which are at risk from erosion and flooding
If the coastal zones were flooded, much of the continent's infrastructure of roads, bridges and buildings would also be lost
70% of the population are subsistence farms
Water supplies dry up
Pasture quality deteriorate or crops fail
Increased locust plagues may threaten food supplies
Inadequate health care systems
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
Having to export their products at a low price due to unjust trading systems
The burden of un-payable debt means that no money is available for the mitigation or the introduction of adaptation strategies
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
Water sources are becoming intermittent or disappearing; streams that used to run year-round are now seasonal
By 2020, 75-250 million people are estimated to be exposed to increased water stress as a result of climate change
Climate change will result in the loss of species and extinction of many plants
Changes in a variety of ecosystems are already being detected, particularly in Southern Africa - at a faster rate than anticipated
Highly diverse in fauna and flora
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
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
Climate change will trigger species migration
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
By 2085 between 25% and 42% of the species's habitats are expected to be lost altogether
Equatorial Guinea may benefit financially due to better conditions
Tropical areas experience longer growing periods
Animals attracted to water wells
Increase in tourism

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	Created by Jodie Goodacre almost 11 years ago