By Abdul Tejan-Cole
Data from the US National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), one of the leading authorities for environmental data, indicates that the global temperature for July 2021 was the highest for July in 142 years. Simply put, it was Mother Earth's hottest July since global record-keeping began in 1880. The Agency points out "the July 2021 global surface temperature was 1.67°F (0.93°C) above the 20th-century average of 60.4°F (15.8°C) — the highest for July in the 142-year record. This value was only 0.02°F (0.01°C) higher than the previous record set in 2016 and tied in 2019 and 2020. The seven warmest Julys have all occurred since 2015”.
This data was announced a few days after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Sixth Assessment Report. The panel was created by the United Nations to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change. The report notes that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, as well as caused widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere.
The report was as damning for Africa as it was for the rest of the world. At 1.5°C global warming, heavy precipitation, and associated flooding are projected to intensify and be more frequent in most regions in Africa. An increase in heavy precipitation that can lead to pluvial floods is projected for most African regions, even as increasing dry CIDs (aridity, hydrological, agricultural, and ecological droughts, fire weather) are projected in the western part of West Africa, North and South Africa regions. Precipitation declines and aridity trends in West, Central, and Southern Africa will occur with trends towards increased agricultural and ecological droughts in the same regions.
The IPCC report predicts that with additional increases in global warming, changes in hot and cold temperature extremes, the frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events are projected to increase almost everywhere in Africa. It predicts the continued increase in the relative sea-level around Africa. This has been ongoing for the past three decades. West and Central Africa are likely to experience heavy precipitation and pluvial flooding. The average tropical cyclone wind speeds are likely to increase in East Southern Africa, increasing heavy precipitation and more Category 4-5 (severe) tropical cyclones in the region.
Many African governments are not paying significant attention to the devastating impact of climate change. Many continue to be in denial. This is a huge mistake. Climate change is real. The evidence is aplenty on the continent. Wildfires raging in the forested areas in the mountainous Kabylie region of northern Algeria have killed at least 65 people. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) show that more than 62,000 hectares (239 square miles) have burned in Algeria this year. New forest fires have also broken out in Tunisia and Libya. In late January 2021, Tropical Cyclone Eloise caused widespread damage and heavy flooding in central Mozambique. The storm displaced more than 16,000 people, damaged around 17,000 houses, and killed more than a dozen people.
Two years ago, cyclones Idai, which was among the most destructive tropical cyclones ever recorded in the southern hemisphere, and Cyclone Kenneth wreaked similar havoc and resulted in severe humanitarian impacts, including hundreds of casualties and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. Madagascar is experiencing its worst drought in four decades, with the World Food Program (WFP) warning that 1.14 million people are food-insecure and 400,000 people face the risk of famine.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) State of the Global Climate 2020 report noted that flooding was extensive across many parts of the region. However, Sudan and Kenya were the worst affected, with 285 deaths reported in Kenya. There were also 155 deaths and over 800,000 people affected in Sudan, along with other indirect impacts from disease. Many lakes and rivers reached record high levels, including Lake Victoria, Niger River, and the Blue Nile.
Africa needs to do more to mitigate the impact of increasing temperature, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather and climate events. Although it is very accurate that Africa contributes about 3% of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change and accounts for just 3.9 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, the consequences of climate change are more devastating for the continent. The continent is the most vulnerable and will be the hardest hit. The African Climate Policy Centre projects that Africa's GDP would significantly decrease because of a global temperature increase. They also point to risks to agriculture, including reduced crop productivity associated with heat and drought stress and increased pest damage, disease damage, and flood impacts on food system infrastructure, resulting in serious adverse effects on food security and livelihoods. There are also major health implications. Warmer temperatures and higher rainfall increase suitability for habitats of biting insects and transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever.
Africa cannot continue to pass the buck to others or stay on the sidelines as a passive bystander waiting for others to act. It must play its part. Of course, the fact that Africa must play its role does not absolve others of their responsibility. The leading emitters of the world, namely China, the US, and European Union countries, bear the brunt of reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But Africa can no longer leave it up to them. Africa must be firmer in holding companies doing business in Africa to their commitments. The leading chocolate companies have committed to ending deforestation while using new technology to grow more cocoa on less land and sustainably produce cocoa, including protecting and restoring forests, promoting farmers' livelihoods, and improving community engagement and social inclusion. This commitment has not been matched by action. Most of these companies continue to commit environmental injustice, most times with the active connivance of our government. If the short-term immediate 'gains' of most of these investments result in environmental damage, in the long-term, it will be a massive loss to the continent.
The time to act is now. It is not 2050. The continent must prioritise the environment. It must ensure proper and effective environmental impact assessments and effective monitoring of projects and investments. African States must intensify efforts to transition to low-carbon technologies, low-carbon and resilient infrastructure, and low-carbon tax systems. The massive deforestation of our rain forests and loss of wetland and biodiversity must be abated. The recently launched African Union Green Recovery Action Plan (2021-2027) aims to catalyze action around the following five priority areas: climate finance, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and national just transition programmes; nature-based solutions and focus on biodiversity; resilient agriculture and green and resilient cities. This is but a first step. We must all work to ensure that it does not become another pipedream. Let's work together for a greener and more inclusive future in Africa.
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Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (18/08/21)
