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Climate Change: oh Africa!

Published 16th November 2010 - 0 comments - 1146 views -

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"Climate change is overwhelming the situation in Africa.. unless we take genuine steps now to reduce our emissions, people in the developed world will be condemning millions to hunger, starvation and death" ---- Tony Juniper, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth. It is no longer news that climate change is now one of the biggest threat to life. The more we approach new days, the more we are faced by the effects of climate change. However, what is the fate of Africa as a continent in this issue and what impact will climate change have on the 'struggling' continent. More specifically, how is the African continent faring and what does the future hold for the continent as regards the issue of global warming. Forecasts predict/warn that Africa will be badly affected by climate change, even though most of the greenhouse gases which cause this global warming are produced in the West and Asia. Already, climates across Africa has always been erratic and studies indicate new and dangerous extremes. If this issue is not taken seriously by African leaders, it will affect wildlife in the continent because as climate conditions change, many species will be unable to tolerate the changes. It can also threaten biodiversity because decrease in rainfall could threaten important wetlands and water bodies and the ecosystems they support, notwithstanding the destruction to agriculture. Climate change is already affecting people in Africa and can always wipe out efforts to tackle poverty in the continent unless urgent actions are taken. Africa needs to rise up to the challenge of climate change and take the preventive approach seriously. They need to do so more than any other continent or else the continent will see the words of Andrew Simms stating that "global warming is set to make the problems which Africa already deals with much, much worse" coming into reality.

Category: International Action, | Tags:



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