Climate change: disproportionate consequences for Africa

Africa accounts for only a small share of global emissions of greenhouse gases, while it experiences disproportionate consequences of climate change. According to the new report of the World Meteorological Organization (VMO), this is damaged by food security, ecosystems and economics, provokes the movement and migration of the population and enhances the threat of conflicts due to depleted resources.

The report “Climate condition in Africa in 2022” shows that in recent decades in Africa, temperature growth rates are increasing and dangerous phenomena associated with weather and climate are increasingly aggravated.

In 2022, more than 110 million people on the continent were directly injured from dangerous phenomena related to the weather, climate and water, and economic damage amounted to more than $ 8.5 billion. According to the international data on emergency situations, the number of dead amounts to 5,000 people, of which 48 % of drought and 43 % due to floods. However, the true number of victims is probably much higher due to the lack of complete data.

Due to climate change, agricultural production in Africa countries has decreased by 34 %since 1961. This is the biggest decrease compared to observed in other regions of the world.

“Africa accounts for less than 10 % of the global emissions of greenhouse gases. However, it is this continent that is the least able to cope with the adverse consequences of climate change. Heat waves, strong rains, floods, tropical cyclones and prolonged droughts have a destructive effect on communities and The economy, at the risk of an increasing number of people, ”said Professor Peteri Taalas, General Secretary of VMO.