A Greenpeace scientific report released today reveals that extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, floods and intense rains are increasing in intensity, frequency and severity in many parts of Africa, seriously threatening human health, food security, peace and biodiversity.
Again in sub-Saharan Africa in the twenty-first century became more extreme and unpredictable, a trend projected by climate scientists to become more apparent in the coming decades. This is the most important finding confirmed by the comprehensive report published today by Greenpeace Africa and the Greenpeace Science Unit. The report ‘Weathering the Storm: Extreme Weather and Climate Change in Africa’ examines the link between extreme weather conditions and climate change in Africa and summarizes the scientific data on how the climate crisis is expanding out of control, including irregular extreme heat waves floods, droughts and cyclones’ a scale hitherto unknown. Climate-related problems can often be felt excessively in the poorest communities because they are the least equipped to cope with and adapt to the changes.
“Science shows that there is very little that is natural in the disasters that befall our continent. A man-made crisis requires a man-made solution. Africa is the cradle of humanity and it will be the cradle of climate action for our future. Security , peace and justice will not only be achieved through prayers and bags of rice and maize in the aftermath of a disaster, only the one who preserves has no accident – and African leaders must declare a state of emergency to our collective future preserve, “said. Melita Steele, Program Director of Greenpeace Africa.
Important findings of the report include:
The expected future average temperatures in Africa will rise faster than the world average in all warming scenarios [1].
The average annual temperature increase for a large part of Africa is expected to exceed 2 exceed or fall within the range of 3 ℃ to 6 at the end of the twenty-first century if the high emissions continue – two to four times outside the increase allowed in the Paris Agreement.
The rising temperature is likely to lead to deaths, displacement, climate-related conflict, irregular rainfall, drinking water shortages, obstruction of agricultural production and accelerated extinction of endemic African species.
The frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events are expected to increase, following trends already observed in South, East and North Africa.
Climate Scientist, founder of Black Women in Science and co-author of the report Ndoni Mcunu:
“Indigenous knowledge needs to be better incorporated into scientific evidence on extreme weather conditions in Africa. African countries need to be more involved in developing new databases and models rather than being dependent on countries outside Africa. This will ensure better communication, planning and future events projects. Access to information must be provided at community level. “
Hindu Oumarou Ibrahim, director of the Association of Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT):
“For the past 50 years, we have experienced a warming of 1.5C, well above the world average. In the Sahel, climate change has destroyed our crops, our homes and torn families apart by forced migration. But Africa is not just the stage. where the worst climatic effects will occur; it is a continent of millions of citizens determined to stop climate change, to move away from fossil fuels, to rise to protect our forests and our biodiversity from industrial agriculture. ‘
Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate:
“I have seen climate change affect the people in my community, in my country and the African continent excessively. It is disastrous for agriculture which is the key to our survival; our livelihood is in danger because everything is lost due to floods, droughts and heat waves Leaders: you have to wake up, you have to listen to science and you have to experience climate change We have to put an end to food and water insecurity, to violence, to gender inequality caused by climate change . “
END
Notes to the editor:
[1] See page 14 of the report.
[2] In South Africa, for example, all climate modeling scenarios have predicted the extinction of more than 100 species, and some modeling scenarios have predicted the extinction of more than 2000 plant species from the Cape Flower Region. Other regions of the continent are also expected to become extinct in a warm global climate.
Petition
Greenpeace Africa’s petition demanding climate action can be obtained and signed here.
Photo and video
Editors can use photos and footage of extreme weather conditions in Africa from the Greenpeace media library (link)
Contact details
Chris Vlavianos, Greenpeace Africa Communications Officer, +27 79 883 7036, [email protected]
Tal Harris, Greenpeace Africa International Communications Coordinator, + 221-774643195, [email protected]
Hellen Dena, communications and story manager, + 254 717 104 144, [email protected]