Impact of climate change on Africa

Question 1

Due to the variety of climates in Africa global warming will have different impacts on different areas:

Answer 1

• Areas that are already dry e.g. arid or semi-arid will get drier
• Wetter areas e.g. tropical or sub-tropical will get wetter
• Whole continent is getting warmer – 0.5°c in the last century

Question 2

Why are Africa’s population vulnerable?

Answer 2

Africa’s population are also very VULNERABLE as the poor people have a reduced capacity to cope
and are less able to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.

Question 3

Water issues:

Answer 3

• Demand outstrips supply for 25% of Africans

- Water stress could lead to wars, global migrations and famine

Question 4

Food insecurity:

Answer 4

• 70% of population are subsistence farmers, who won’t be able to feed themselves if water supplies dry up
• Increase in locust plagues expected

Question 5

Desertification:

Answer 5

• This is increased by unreliable or decreasing rainfall

Question 6

Health:

Answer 6

• Increase in malaria and waterborne diseases

- 80% of health services rely on wild plants for remedies which are under threat

Question 7

Development of coastal zones

Answer 7

• Movement of environmental refugees with put pressure on coastal zones as they set up shanty towns
• 60% live in coastal zones which are at risk of coastal flooding and erosion

Question 8

Natural Resources:

Answer 8

• Poor people rely directly on wild plants and animals

- Loss of biodiversity will threaten them

Question 9

Poverty:

Answer 9

• 2/3rds of the least developed countries are
  located in Africa
  Debt crisis – most African countries can only reduce their debt through the production of cash crops which has led to forest clearance for commercial farming. This combined with global warming will create drought, desertification and place Africa’s food security under threat