Climate status in Africa 2021 shows that rain patterns are disrupted, glaciers are disappearing, and important lakes are shrinking.
And rising water demand, combined with limited and unpredictable supplies, risks exacerbating conflict and displacement.
“The deepening crisis and famine raging in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa show that climate change can exacerbate water shocks, threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and cause loss of life. stability for the community, the country and the entire region”. speak WMO Secretary General Petteri Taalas.
Temperature trend
The report shows how extreme weather and climate change are wreaking havoc on human health and safety, food and water security, and socioeconomic development.
Although Africa accounts for only about 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it suffers disproportionately.
With a special focus on water, Climate status revealed that high water stress is estimated to affect around 250 million people on the continent and displace 700 million by 2030.
Four out of five African countries are unlikely to have sustainably managed water resources by 2030.
“Africa’s climate has warmed more than the global average since pre-industrial times,” Taalas warned, noting that sea levels rise along the coasts of Europe, Taalas warned. Africa is faster than the global average.
This is contributing to increased frequency and severity of coastal flooding and erosion, and salinity in low-lying cities, he commented.
“Changes in continental waters have a major impact on agriculture, ecosystems, biodiversity.
Make changes
Only 40% of Africa’s population currently has access to early warning systems for the effects of extreme weather and climate change.
At the request of Secretary-General António Guterres, WMO is conducting a campaign to ensure universal accessibility of early warnings over the next five years.
Meanwhile, climate action is being pushed.
More than 40 African countries have revised their national climate plans to make them more ambitious and to add greater commitments to climate adaptation and mitigation.
Climate status The report makes several recommendations, including strengthening early warning systems, strengthening cross-border cooperation, data exchange and knowledge sharing.
It highlights the need for more investment in adaptation, as well as a concerted effort towards more integrated water resource management.
The report was issued with a digital story map at the Ministerial Conference on the Integrated Early Action and Early Warning System initiative in Maputo, Mozambique.
Concerning observation
- 2021 is the third or fourth warmest year on record for Africa.
- By 2030, 108-116 million people in Africa are projected to be at risk of sea level rise.
- Drought in East Africa has worsened after consecutive failed rainy seasons combined with increased conflict, related population displacement and COVID-19 restrictions.
- Many parts of North Africa experience extreme hot weather, accompanied by wildfires.
- Over the past 50 years, drought-related hazards have claimed more than half a million lives and caused $70 billion in regional economic losses.
- Rising temperatures have contributed to a 34% reduction in agricultural productivity growth in Africa since 1961 – more than any other region in the world.
- Climate-related hazards continue to be the main driver of new displacement in Africa.
- In Africa, only four out of 10 people are covered by the Multi-hazard Early Warning System.
