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Regional Effects of Climate ChangeClimate Change Effects in AfricaAfrica is the continent most at risk from environmental changes due to global warming as the continent is home to many of the world's poorest nations, countries which will not be able to afford mitigation strategies on their own. Below are some of the consequences of global warming which are specific to Africa: Desertification: The grasslands of the Sahel, a band of semiarid land running across the continent south of the Sahara desert, are already shrinking. As climate models predict warmer temperatures and less rainfall for this region under global warming, the desertification and loss of productive land is expected to accelerate. Additionally, reductions in rainfall are predicted for some regions in southern Africa, meaning the Kalahari and Namib deserts at the southern end of the continent could also grow in size. Food Security: The economies of many African nations are still based on subsistence agriculture. Increased numbers of droughts and floods could lead to food shortages and famines. Health: A warmer climate could expand the range of carriers of malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and other vector-borne diseases. Water Supply: The lack of adequate fresh water is a problem faced by several countries in Africa. Regions of the continent such as the Sahel and southern Africa, where precipitation is expected to decline, may face even more severe water shortages. Refugees: Environmental pressures such as dwindling food and water supplies may lead to conflict between struggling nations, unleashing migrations of environmental refugees on the African continent. Coastal Erosion: While all coastal African nations must cope with the rising sea level, changes may be especially profound in West Africa where coastal storms are common. Of course, sea level rise poses a particular challenge for Small Island States such as the Comoros and Seychelles.
Climate change in other regions:
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