Eunice Afolabi |
Reports have shown that Africa can only account for about 2% to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but suffers disproportionately from the results.
Water stress and hazards like withering droughts and devastating floods are hitting African communities, economies, and ecosystems hard.
Causing Rainfall patterns to be disrupted, glaciers disappearing and key lakes shrinking.
According to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Rising water demand combined with limited and unpredictable supplies threatens to aggravate conflict and displacement.
Meanwhile, The State of the Climate in Africa 2021 report provides authoritative scientific information on temperature trends and other climate indicators.
It shows how extreme weather and climate change are undermining human health and safety, od and water security, and socio-economic development.
The State of the Climate in Africa 2021 also reports a special focus on water. High water stress is estimated to affect about 250 million people in Africa and is expected to displace up to 700 million people by 2030.
Adding that Four out of five African countries are unlikely to have sustainably managed water resources by 2030.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas noted that,
“The worsening crisis and looming famine in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa shows how climate change can exacerbate water shocks, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and destabilizing communities, countries, and entire regions,” says State of Climate in Africa
“Africa’s climate has warmed more than the global average since pre-industrial times (1850-1900). In parallel, the sea level rise along African coastlines is faster than the global mean, contributing to increases in the frequency and severity of coastal flooding and erosion, and salinity in low-lying cities. Changes in continental water bodies have major impacts on the agriculture sector, ecosystems, and diversity,”
“Temperature increase, heat waves, extensive floods, tropical cyclones, prolonged droughts, and sea level rise resulting in loss of lives, property damage, and population displacement, undermine Africa’s ability to achieve its commitments to meet the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, which outlines Africa’s path for attaining inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development,”
The report, which is the third in a series, is a joint initiative between WMO and the African Union Commission that includes input from a wide range of UN organizations, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, development partners, and climate experts. The report and an accompanying digital story map disagreeing launched at a Ministerial Meeting on Integrated Early Warning and Early Action System initiative in Maputo, Mozambique.
Presently, only 40 percent of the African population has access to early warning systems to protect them against extreme weather and climate change impacts. Africa is hence a top priority in the campaign spearheaded by WMO, at the request of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to ensure universal access to early warnings in the next five years.
Nevertheless, climate action is increasing momentum.
Over 40 African countries have revised their national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions) to make them more ambitious and add greater commitments to climate adaptation and mitigation.
Africa also provides 2- 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and more than 83% of national climate plans include greenhouse gas reduction targets, with focus areas including energy, agriculture, waste, land, and forestry.
The State of the Climate in Africa report makes several recommendations, including enhancing early warning systems, increasing transboundary cooperation, data exchange, and knowledge sharing.
It also spoke on the need for more investment in adaptation is important, as is a concerted drive toward more integrated water resource management.
Research shows that the year 2021 was either the third or fourth safest year record for Africa.
Sea level rise is increasing along the African coastlines at a higher rate than the global mean rate and by 2030, 108-116 million people in Africa are expected to be exposed to sea level rise risk.
However, Drought in East Africa has worsened following consecutive failed rainy seasons combined with increased conflict, related population displacement, and COVID-19 restrictions.
High food prices impeded food availability and access, leaving more than 58 million people in conditions of acute food insecurity. The situation is worsening this year – especially in Ethiopia, Somalia, and parts of Kenya. Southern Madagascar is also suffering from acute drought.
In another development, Severe Floods affected South Sudan, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, DRC, and Burundi. South Sudan recorded the third straight year of extreme floods leading to elevated water levels of Lakes and rivers, resulting from the intense rainfall in 2020 and 2021.
Many parts of Northern Africa experienced extreme heat, especially in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, And Libya. This was accompanied by wildfires. Sand and dust storms were a recurring problem.
A recent development, the total surface area of Lake Chad, which is located close to the Sahara desert, bordering Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Nier, has shrunk from 25 000 km2 in the 1960s to 1 350 km2 in the 2000s and remained stable since. In West Africa, the long-term decline in river flow is attributed to increasing temperature, drought, and increased water demand.
Also, Mount Kenya (Kenya), Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), and the Rwenzoris Mountains (Uganda) are retreating at a faster rate than the global average. Whether or not glaciers fully disappear in East Africa depends on the amount of future precipitation that falls in the East Africa region.
Increased temperature has also contributed to a 34% reduction in agricultural productivity growth in Africa since 1961 – more than any other region in the world. This trend is expected to continue in the future, increasing the risk of acute food insecurity and malnutrition. A Global warming of 1.5 °C is projected to be accompanied by a decline of 9% of the maize yield in West Africa and 20%-60% of the wheat yield in southern and northern Africa.
Climate-related hazards have been said to be a major driver of new displacement in Africa. Chronic floods and droughts, sea level rise, and extreme weather events all influence displacement patterns within borders and across international borders. In 2021, around 14.1 million people were internally displaced in Sub-Saharan Africa, including around 11.5 million due to conflict and violence and 2.5 million due to disasters.
Currently, 28 countries provide climate services from basic to essential Cleveland only 9 provide those services at a full level. Only four countries are providing end-to-end drought forecasting or warning services at a full/advanced capacity level.
Studies have shown that the disruption in water availability will impede access to safe water and threatens to trigger conflicts between people who are already contending with economic challenges.
About 418 million people still lack even a basic level of drinking water and 779 million people lack basic sanitation services.
Fortunately, The World Meteorological Organization is the United Nations System’s authoritative voice on Weather, Climate, and Water
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