The UNEP predicts 'no continent will be struck as severely by the impacts of climate change as Africa'. This is partially down to increasing climate and rainfall variability, as well as an increased risk of natural disasters. The situation is exacerbated by Africa's relatively limited adaptive capacity. Brooks, Adgar and Kelly rank countries on their adaptive capacity based on eleven key indicators that exhibit a strong relationship with climate-related deaths. They found that 'the most vulnerable nations are those situated in sub-Saharan Africa'. The relative lack of development and poverty that's widespread in Africa greatly exacerbates the climatic changes that will take place. This is very apparent in many common scenarios: when California declared a drought state of emergency in January they continued to import water with the 398km long Colorado River Aqueduct and enforced restrictions, whereas the Horn of Africa drought of 2011 resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
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| Colorado River Aqueduct, Source |
The situation in areas of Africa are such that climate change is a threat to the survival of populations and long-term wellbeing. The effort to sustainably develop Africa, first through the MDGs and now the SDGs, is at risk from climate change. Africa's socio-economic situation makes it very difficult to combat such a risk, and if we do not act 'its population, ecosystems and unique biodiversity will all be the major victims of global climate change' (UNEP). Below is a summary of the risks that could cause such consequences:
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