Contending with the effects of climate change in Africa

Much of the policy, development, economic and humanitarian talk today is centred on climate change. Everyone is affected by climate change; however the most vulnerable are the rural populations whose main livelihood activities depend on rain-fed agriculture. The reasons for the vulnerability and food insecurity of these populations among others include poverty, decreasing agricultural productivity, poor infrastructure and market access, population pressure especially in marginal areas, increasing human and animal diseases, weak institutional and land tenure arrangements, etc.

To these vulnerable populations, climate change means 1) increased climate variability i.e. increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, and 2) changes or shifts in the growing season, both of which affect food production and consequently food security. Consequently, poverty, hunger, malnutrition, environmental degradation, reduced dietary intake, distress sale of productive assets, and the like will increase as people strive to cope.

To contend with the effects of climate change should not only include mitigating climate change but also reducing vulnerability (adaptation) - employment of risk reduction and risk management strategies. These strategies should strengthen the adaptation capacity and coping strategies of poor communities thus enhancing their resilience and protecting their livelihoods. Governments should build appropriate management capacities, policies, institutions and partnerships that respond effectively to climate change as well as prevent physical and socio-economic damage, while at the same time promote land use planning and weather risk transfer. Governments should also strengthen their disaster preparedness, response and crisis management mechanisms.