''A healthy planet takes care of its people. Healthy people take
care of the planet. Protecting the earth promotes the people who live on it.
Improving the environment gives people the opportunity to survive and thrive in
a world free of extreme poverty''
Climate change-related hazards are ongoing and
increasing. They pose a serious threat to the achievement of the MDGs as they
have the potential to reverse years of development gains. Tackling the climate
is a need for justice: developing countries have 98% of the seriously affected
and 99% of all deaths from weather-related disasters, along with over 90% of
the total economic losses, while the 50 Least Developed Countries contribute
less than 1% of global carbon emissions.
Climate change and global poverty must be combated
simultaneously. 75% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and largely depend
on natural resources for their livelihoods and income. They suffer the most
from natural disasters due to poor infrastructure and systems that are not
equipped to deal with the drastic impact of major catastrophes such as the 2004
tsunami or Haiti earthquake.
Projected impacts from climate change include the
following:
Decline in agricultural productivity: The areas
suitable for agriculture, the length of growing seasons and the yield potential
of food staples are all projected to decline. Some African countries could see
agricultural yields decrease by 50% by 2050 and crop net revenues could fall by
as much as 90% by 2100.
Increased water stress: Changing climate
patterns will have important implications for water availability in Africa. By
2020, an additional 75-250 million people in Africa are projected to be exposed
to increased water stress due to climate change.
Rising sea levels: Across the globe, sea
levels could rise rapidly with accelerated ice sheet disintegration. In Africa,
highly productive ecosystems, which form the basis for important economic
activities such as tourism and fisheries, are located in coastal zones. In
total, 70 million people and 30% of the Africa's coastal infrastructure could
face the risk of coastal flooding by 2080 because of rising sea levels
Risks to human health: Climate
change will affect human health through variables such as changes in
temperature, exposure to natural disasters, access to food and air quality.
Previously malaria-free highland areas in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi
could experience modest incursions of malaria by the 2050s, with conditions for
transmission becoming highly suitable by the 2080s. In total, an additional
260-320 million people worldwide could be living in malaria-infested areas by
2080.
Threats to ecosystems and biodiversity: Changes
induced by climate change are likely to result in species range shifts and
changes in tree productivity, adding further stress to forest ecosystems.
Studies predict that 25-40% of mammal species such as zebra could become
endangered or extinct by 2080.
Global efforts are key to ensure environmental sustainability.
Industrialized countries are historically
responsible for the bulk of green house gas emissions. However, meaningful
reductions in emissions today can only be achieved through an approach that
includes emerging markets. In addition, developing regions like sub-Saharan
Africa, must be enabled to embark on a low carbon growth path as they continue
to grow their economic base and energy supply and demand. Industrialized
countries have an obligation to support Africa and other regions in this endeavor.
Moreover, it is in their interest to do so as climate change impacts will be
felt throughout the world. Developing and emerging countries have signaled they
would agree to a global climate deal if they are supported. In addition, there
are untapped opportunities for partnering with sub-Saharan Africa to stem
further declines. Africa's vast rainforests and natural resources could
be invested in through re-forestation and agro-forestry programs to provide
sustainable livelihoods and carbon storage/sequestration
0 comments:
Post a Comment