Africa In The Face Of Global Warming
By: Iccdi Africa
Tags: Global Warming, Climate Change, Agriculture, Sustainability, Women

“We must face up to an inescapable reality: the challenges of sustainability simply overwhelm the adequacy of our responses. With some honourable exceptions, our responses are too few, too little, and too late.” — Kofi A. Annan

Farmers planting during a rainy season in Dali, North Darfur, Sudan. Credit: UN Photo / Albert Farran

To think that we can understand the gruesome implications that are impending as a result of our irresponsibility is absolutely subpar. Science has never been precise when it comes to nature, and now we are certainly not any closer in understanding the apparent extent to the damage we’re incurring and the problems that follow, we might think we’re close but are only very far.

As a Less Economically Developed Country (LEDC) like most countries in Africa (if not all), the level of vulnerability heightens in the wake of global warming. For instance globally, 820 million people are experiencing starvation, in Africa the situation is dire as 20% of its population suffer (20 out of 30 most affected by hunger come from Africa), and this is predicted to worsen in a continent where food and survival is largely dependent on the climate system and the environment, so when climate catastrophe strikes most people in these countries will find it extremely difficult to cope and that could resort to a cascade of crises. Already with so much deficiency recorded, Africa’s chances in the face of an impending disaster is minimized and reasons for this can be credited to the impotent climate change policies and lack of resources accessibility, priorities of governments are often short term, and corruption as well as lack of qualified persons in strategic positions.

Now with global pollution still unpruned, limiting warming below 1.5°C will pose a big challenge but still possible only however requiring several unprecedented changes, which of course are not loved by everyone even though it is for the greater good. One of the major reasons decarbonization or reducing carbon emission is difficult and challenging is largely due to our overdependence on fossil fuels. Now, mostly anything that requires energy implies burning of fossils, in 2017 81% of fossil fuel consumption came from oil, coal and natural gas, and that of course must be dealt with if we want a good chance at this.

But let’s assume we’ve crossed the global temperature of 1.5

and have opened a portal of climate catastrophe with over 50% of the population being undernourished, what plan and strategy should Africa put in place to maximize survival and reduce further uncertain climate impact? Basically, how can Africa adapt to global warming?

The reason adaptation is pivotal is because debatably, putting more effort on strategies that might reduce impacts on a substantial scale over a long period of time (mitigating) might not be the ideal approach for some countries especially those in vulnerable countries like most in Africa, simply because they don’t have that much luxury of time to spend, and Africa must begin to adapt quickly.

This is however not to downplay mitigation plans and strategies, as a matter of fact different approaches apply to different countries based on their level of buffering in the face of impact. But for Africa, it is best we started implementing strategies that would secure foods, and other survival needs even in the face of climate change (adaptation) primarily before mitigation can take place. And to defend this standpoint, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)defines adaptation as “the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects.” It’s basically doing what we can to live with and minimize the destruction and suffering that comes from climate change. We need to think and act like it’s already here which of course is.

What many do not recognize is that mitigation is a priority in the energy, transportation industry and waste management sectors but for adaptation it is a priority in the food, water and health sectors and in coastal or low-lying areas which are mostly vulnerable. That is just the kind Africa requires first before mitigation can then be focused on. Failing to adapt to a reality that we already know is coming (or already here) is just plainly irresponsible and dangerous because impacts as they always are have greater effect on poorer populations which largely makes up Africa and some LEDC.

Now, thinking of adaptation strategies, plans must be put in place that would be climate impact proof, resilient, and able to harness some of the impact that occurs, although yet uncertain. For instance, in African countries and LEDC there could be:

New environmental practices as a response to climate change e.g. controlled environment agriculture, ecosystems based adaptation, etc.

Preservation and harvesting of water in highlands for marginalised communities.

Relocation of homes and essential buildings from coastal areas.

Harnessing and adjusting some of the impacts for our benefit.

These are ways Africa can adapt quickly to the impact of global warming.

We must make sure that whatever fate we find ourselves in we must not be extremely impacted, now we must live everyday adapting and trying as much as possible to not fall short and be irresponsible. Like many other things that have been delayed this is not a political issue that it can be stalled, it’s a moral issue and we’re on a race against time. Africa cannot continue to prioritise the present for too long because in little time the future will become the present, and only when that happens will we be sure if we failed or not.

Written by Lekwa Hope Anya, a climate and sustainability experts