Impact of Global Warming on Africa

Relative to the developed world, Africa contributes very little to the problem of rising greenhouse gasses which are linked to global warming. Despite this, Africa will be one of the regions hardest hit by climate changes associated with global warming.

"Africa is highly vulnerable to the various manifestations of climate change." (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – 2001)

Declines in usable water resources and agricultural production combined with increases in diseases, increased desertification and flooding of coastal regions are all problems which Africa will face.

Africa's Contribution

Although Africa generates a very small percentage of global emissions, it is expected that Africa will be one of the continents hardest hit by the resulting climate change (a). While the vast majority of greenhouse gases emissions come from the developed world, the burning of wood (primarily for cooking) in Africa is a contributor. In Africa, wood accounts for approximately 40% of total primary energy consumption and total wood consumption is estimated to growing at over 1.5% per year (b). In Africa, wood consumption is estimated at 0.89 m3 (or 0.64 tonnes (T)) per person per year (b). For each 1 T of wood burned, approximately 1.9 T of CO2 is released into the atmosphere (c). Consequently, a family of four will consume approximately 2.5 T of wood which generates about 4.75 T of CO2 emissions. If wood was being harvested on a sustainable basis, growth of wood would offset the emissions from burning, but this is not the case in Africa. Consumption far exceeds supply, leading to serious problems of deforestation. The FAO recently estimated that deforestation accounts for 25% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions(d). While reforestation projects would help, a much more direct way to reduce these emissions is through reduced consumption. Reducing consumption conveys a second, very important benefit. Collecting wood is a time consuming activity which is primarily carried out by women. Freeing them from this daily task will enable them to contribute in many other ways to the families welfare.

The Solution

Finding a solution to the problem of excess greenhouse gas emissions and global warming requires a global effort. One part of the solution involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions wherever they can be cut. Farmers Helping Farmers offers a program to allow individuals to offset some of their own emissions by introducing technologies which greatly reduce emissions in Africa .... and have additional positive benefits for rural Africans.

References
(a) "Africa," Chapter 10 of: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2001. Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
(b) The role of Wood Energy in Africa. 1999. FAO Series: Wood Energy Today for Tomorrow. accessed through http://www.fao.org/docrep/x2740e/x2740e00.HTM#exesuc
(c) Voluntary reporting of greenhouse gases program. US Dept. of Environment. accessed through http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/coefficients.html
(d) Incentives to curb deforestation needed to counter climate change. 2002. FAO accessed through http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2005/1000176/index.html