Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa: Assessing the Rising Threat to Socioeconomic Progress
Abstract
Introduction: Climate has been changing drastically in Africa over the last decades. Global temperatures have increased significantly, and extreme weather events have intensified, dominating the disaster landscape in the 21st century in Africa. Background: Climate change leads to increased water crisis, infectious diseases, biodiversity extinction and loss of human life. This means it is a remarkable threat to achieving sustainable development goals in Africa.
Problem statement: Climate change has led to economic losses of over US$70 billion in the region over the past fifty years. It is estimated that by 2050, climate change impacts could cost African nations USD$50 billion yearly.
Methodology: This paper sought to find out how mankind can prevent the climate change crisis threatening Africa’shard-won development gains. The research was qualitative and based primarily on literature review from secondary data sources. Results: The climate crisis is threatening hard won development gains and intensifying cycles of poverty, fragility and vulnerability across the continent. There is need for African countries to take charge of climate change initiatives which will minimize the impacts of climate change.
Conclusion: The impact of climate change cannot go unchallenged as African countries continue to lose billions of dollars annually, desertification is rapidly increasing, cropland is drastically declining, emergence and rapid spreading of pests and diseases and the displacement of thousands of people.
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Introduction
Africa'sclimate has warmed by 0.3⁰C per decade from 1991 to 2022, whereas the global average in the same period was 0.2⁰C [1]. Africa has contributed insignificantly to global warming, but its detrimental impacts have affected the region due to its vulnerability. The high level of vulnerability in African countries is driven by the existing low levels of socioeconomic growth in the continent [2]. Climate change has adverse effects globally, but the poor are disproportionately vulnerable to its effects [2]. This is largely attributed to the fact that Africa lacks the resources to afford services and goods required for cushioning and recovering from climate change effects [3]. These extreme events have undermined Africa'scapacity to achieve its commitments to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063, which indicates Africa'spath to inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development [2].
Conclusion
Climate change presents a considerable and growing challenge globally, and the implications of climate change will be more significant for future generations if action is not taken as soon as possible. Climate change is a global issue that has an effect on everyone and profoundly impacts the economies, society, and environment. The impact of climate change cannot go unchallenged as African countries continue to lose billions annually, desertification is rapidly increasing, cropland is drastically declining, emergence and rapid spreading of new and old pests and diseases and the displacement of thousands of people due to weather-related disasters.
Climate change, hence, needs/demands compelling cooperation and shared responsibility. The world cannot afford to fail to combat climate change since there is so much at stake, especially for Africa. Strong action is required to reduce emissions in order to alter the future path of human-induced warming, and action is required to begin adapting to the warming that is already taking place and is likely to continue.
ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE Human and Animal Rights: No animal/humans were used for studies that are base of this research.
Consent for Publication: Not applicable Conflict of Interest: The authors Douglas Ncube PhD and Rudo Abigail Togaraseyi MAcertify that they have no affiliation with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria, educational grants, participation in speakers’ bureaus, membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or equity interest and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
