CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA
Aug 5th, 2007 by kendi
Global climate change and its effect on Africa is an issue currently being avoided, as the paramount focus for the rich nations is making the economy of African nations self-reliant. Noting, Bob Geld of and the G8.Africa’s disadvantaged position on climate change cannot be swept under the carpet for too long because it is not likely to survive global warming. And it has more to lose due to the enormous impact of global warming.
While the technological advanced countries have implemented programs to at least mitigate some of the risk involved, Africa still lags behind in this area.
The risk and opportunity varies from continent to continent and the obvious effect is overwhelming. Some of which include massive hydrological problems; water supply problems, some areas being be oversupplied resulting in flooding with unfortunate impact on agriculture, as well as erosion affecting the transportation systems and commerce. Drought will cause wildfires creating devastating effects. The list is endless. If not nipped in the bud, the developing world will subsequently be vulnerable to the advanced countries.
In combating some of these problems, developing nations must by necessity develop economic development facilities that do not generate the pollutants that contribute to the existing global climate problem. Understand that the continent has much more to lose so the use of technology that is less polluting should be the focus and old technology discarded.
Collaboration between Pan-African organisations and International agencies is needed for both technical and personal support. Sufficient opportunities should be found within their budgets and internal resources made available to provide solutions. The participation of African universities ought to be increased to effect a change in decision making. Implementation of an effective planning process, will positively impact global climate change.
Africa continues to deal with prevalent day-to-day management issues such as unemployment, setting up of factories, and recovery from war. Tackling the problems that may arise from global warming should be the dominant focus, because natural hazards will intensify with global climate change. Since 1960 South Africa has warmed by 0.5 degrees.
The World Bank, the United Nations and International organisations must encourage developing countries not to tow the same path as advanced countries. This of course, is not enough because global warming is really a direct result of the lifestyle and consumption pattern of advanced countries, copied by many developing countries.