Africa is a large continent with an area of approximately 12 million square miles of territory, which has unique weather patterns and natural resources. Lately, this continent faced a dramatic change in its climate caused by the consequences of global warming (Winsor). It is rather interesting that there are no massive factories and energy plants in Africa, and this is the reason why this continent has the slightest contribution to the global warming, but, at the same time, this continent if significantly affected by the global climate crisis.
North Africa is a part of the continent that is heavily impacted by the climate change, and flooding has become the most prevalent issue among others (Deonarain). Other parts of the continent also suffer from constant flooding. Sometimes, flood is worsened by cyclones, and together they cause many deaths in Africa. Among other impacts of climate change on weather patterns is drought, and East Africa Region was impacted by droughts the most in comparison to other parts of Africa (Deonarain).
Climate change has also been the main cause of coastal storms and rising of the sea level, which, in their turn, have destroyed some parts of the coastal countries. In Kenya, some streets turned into small rivers, and lakes rose to the level of plains, making transportation impossible for people living in the lake valleys (Winsor).
Also, there are many other problems that have arisen with the climate change in Africa. Among such problems are international conflicts among countries that fight for the limited natural resources (water and fertile ground), negative impact on health of the population, destruction of shelters, etc.
Climate change has a tremendous impact on agriculture in Africa, and its effect will be even more significant in the nearest future. For example, experts state that there will be a shift in rainfall patterns and heat extremes will occur in summer more often (Rao). Also, arid regions will expand by 10% in the nearest years, thus making most of the land lose its fertility, and more people will be starving in future.
Most cultures that are cultivated in Africa are highly sensitive to the shift in temperatures. Thus, African farmers will have lower crop yields, as high temperature will damage wheat and maize. It is also expected that an average temperature in Africa will increase 2°C by 2040, and it will mean that there will be less arable land on the continent (Rao).
At the same time, climate change will have a positive impact on agriculture in Africa, as growing seasons in Mozambique and Ethiopia will lengthen due to the shift in rainfalls and increased temperature (“Agriculture”). However, the areas that will be positively impacted by climate change are very limited, and most of the territory will face negative effects of global warming.
There are tools that can be utilized to provide an effective solution to the problems of climate change in African and its negative influence. One of the solutions in the agriculture is cultivation of other cultures that tolerate droughts and higher temperatures (Rao).
Another solution is putting efforts into the improvement of energy access, which, in turn, will lead to the expansion of irrigation systems, and there will be more arable areas in Africa. In general, the main thing to be done is to attract more investments in to African agricultural sector, and to develop various crop management techniques.
Works Cited
"Agriculture". Ipcc.ch. Web. 18 May 2016. <https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/ch9s9-4-4.html>
Deonarain, Bhavna. "8 Ways Climate Change Is Already Affecting Africa". 350 Africa. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://350africa.org/2014/12/12/8-ways-climate-change-is-already-affecting-africa/>
Rao, Arathi. "How Climate Change Will Affect African Farmers". ONE. N.p., 2013. Web. 18 May 2016. <https://www.one.org/international/blog/how-climate-change-will-affect-african-farmers/>
Winsor, Morgan. "Climate Change In Africa: African Global Warming Role Small But Crucial To Crisis Solution, Experts Say". International Business Times. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://www.ibtimes.com/climate-change-africa-african-global-warming-role-small-crucial-crisis-solution-2008048>
