climate change are becoming increasingly pronounced, understanding and mitigating climate risk is paramount, especially for regions highly vulnerable to environmental change. Africa, with its rich biodiversity and varied climates, stands on the front line, facing unique challenges posed by climate change and climate variability. The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of how climate change influences these interconnected domains, driving home the necessity for integrated and adaptive strategies. By exploring environmental indicators, health outcomes, and household vulnerabilities, the chapter aims to paint a holistic picture of the challenges and potential pathways to resilience.
of Climate Risks in Africa Our approach to analyzing climate risk involves a comprehensive examination of key environmental indicators that serve as proxies for understanding the broader impacts of climate change. Land surface temperature Precipitation anomalies Vegetation health Drought conditions El Niño effect
surface temperature LST is the temperature of the Earth’s surface, which includes various types of land cover such as soil, vegetation, water bodies, and built-up areas. It is a significant parameter, providing valuable insights into surface temperature variations and environmental changes over time. The results reveal that in 2023, most of Africa recorded temperatures above the average for the period 2003– 2022, except for the desert areas of northern Africa. The most significant temperature anomalies were recorded in southern Africa (Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland), eastern Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan), northern Africa (Egypt, Libya), and some western African countries (Chad, Niger). The lowest temperature anomalies in 2023 are noted in countries in western, northwestern, and west-central Africa.
anomalies A precipitation anomaly is a deviation from the average or expected precipitation pattern for a given area over a certain period. Anomalies are characterized by above-average (excess) or below- average (deficient) precipitation in comparison to the long-term average. The results reveal two forms of rainfall anomaly in Africa. On the one hand, there is a sharp decrease in precipitation in 2023 on average, compared to the previous 20 years, in the northern African zone, in part of western Africa (Chad, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger) and in part of southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe). On the other hand, rainfall anomalies exceeded the average for the period 2003–2023 in northeastern Africa, large parts of western Africa, the eastern Sahel region, Sudan, and parts of South Africa.
health The NDVI is a widely used numerical indicator in remote sensing and vegetation studies. It quantifies the presence and health of vegetation by measuring the difference between near- infrared (NIR) and red-light reflectance from the Earth’s surface. It is a significant parameter, providing valuable insights into vegetation dynamics, health, and distribution across different landscapes over time. The findings indicate that in regions such as northeastern Africa, eastern Africa, and a significant portion of southern Africa, there are no noticeable deviations in vegetation cover for the year 2023. Conversely, the data also uncover anomalies in the Horn of Africa and across a vast expanse of western Africa, highlighting areas where vegetation cover significantly diverges from historical norms.
• Drought risk Drought, characterized by extended periods of dry weather, leads to severe water shortages that adversely affect lives, assets, and livelihood activities (World Bank 2017). Our study focuses primarily on agricultural drought, which is assessed through soil moisture levels. For this purpose, we employ the modified vegetation water supply index (MVWSI). Figure illustrates widespread areas characterized by dark blue hues, indicating MVWSI values greater than 1 across nearly all surveyed countries, suggesting these regions are currently not experiencing drought. Nonetheless, areas within western Africa, Namibia in southern Africa, and significant portions of northern Africa are identified as drought-prone, necessitating vigilant monitoring and the implementation of preemptive drought mitigation measures.
Niño effects El Niño is part of a natural climatic phenomenon called the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, which originates from a temperature anomaly in the surface waters of the South Pacific. When this is particularly marked and positive (at least +0.5°C), there is an El Niño episode; in the opposite case (a significant heat deficit), it is called the La Niña phenomenon. Figure reveals that the El Niño phenomenon has led to a significant reduction in rainfall across southern Africa, particularly during the crucial months of December 2023 to February 2024. Figure shows the soil moisture conditions as of March 2024, emphasizing the areas most severely affected by the drought. As shown in the map, the soil moisture levels across much of southern Africa are critically low, particularly in key agricultural zones. This situation has led to a drastic reduction in crop yields, especially for maize.
Projection and Implications in Africa • Temperature anomalies represent deviations from the historical average. • CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) compares the expected annual temperatures for the period 2024–2035 with the historical baseline period of 1979–2022.). • The RCP4.5 scenario assumes moderate emissions reductions, with greenhouse gas levels peaking around 2040 and a radiative forcing of 4.5 W/m² by 2100. • Regions colored in darker shades of orange indicate more significant warming, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of Africa. The Sahara Desert and its surrounding regions exhibit some of the highest temperature anomalies, with values exceeding 3°C in some areas. the anomalies are generally less extreme in the Horn of Africa than northern and eastern.
Projection and Implications in Africa • The projected temperature rise in Africa is consistent across different regions • The map shows a significant increase in temperature across Africa, with the most pronounced warming observed in northern Africa and the Sahara region. • the map highlights changes in precipitation patterns. • Notable drying trends in some regions of Africa, particularly in parts of southern Africa and the Mediterranean region . • central and eastern Africa show potential increases in rainfall.
of estimation • Case Study 1: Households’ Vulnerability to Climate Change in Rwanda • Case Study 2: Households’ Vulnerability to Climate Change in Senegal
which a natural or social system is likely to be damaged by the impacts of climate change, and is a function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity”. ✓The components: II. HOUSEHOLDS’ VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE • Methods of estimation
k=1 nE V k,i Exposure Sensitivity index 1 nS k=1 nS V k,i Sensitivity Adaptation Inability index 1 nIA k=1 nIA V k,i Inability to Adapt 1/3 1/3 1/3 II. HOUSEHOLDS’ VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE • Methods of estimation
state of VCC across countries • Classification of vulnerability level Relative” categorization’’ Absolute” categorization’’ The relative categorization helps to compare and prioritize the districts of the country. Legend Legend Very high level of vulnerability High level of vulnerability Moderate level of vulnerability Low level of vulnerability Very low level of vulnerability Much more vulnerable More vulnerable Low vulnerable Much low vulnerable Data classification is a technique used in data analysis and machine learning to organize data into categories according to agreed criteria (indicators) II. HOUSEHOLDS’ VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE
(NISR 2023) 1- The results reveal that the overall level of household vulnerability in Rwanda is 0.44 on a scale of 0 to 1. 3-These results indicate that although the level of sensitivity (0.29) is somewhat low, households in Rwanda have a high exposure (0.38) to climate change risks and have limited capacity to adapt (0.61) to adverse effects. 4-Karongi, Nyaruguru and Gisagara were the three districts with the largest score of vulnerable in 2021. The two districts with the least vulnerable households were Gasabo and Kicukiro . 0.29 0.38 0.61 0.43 SE NS IT IVIT Y EX POS URE INAB IL ITY T O ADAPT V CC_IND EX CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERA BILITY B Y COMPONENT • Case Study 1: Households’ Vulnerability to Climate Change in Rwanda
in Rwanda ▪ The results reveal that Gasabo and Kicukiro districts have the greatest share of households in the “much less vulnerable” category in Rwanda in 2021. ▪ Burera, Rutsiro, Nyamasheke, Rubavu, Muhanga, Rulindo, and Nyabihu have the greatest share of “less vulnerable” households in 2021. ▪ Gatsibo, Ngoma, Kirehe, Nyanza, Nyaruguru, Gisagara, Karongi, and Gakenke have the greatest share of “much more vulnerable” households. ▪ The remaining districts have the greatest share of “more vulnerable” in 2021 based on the results of the VCC index.
in Senegal For the case of Senegal, the VCC index results, shown in Figure 5.9, reveal that the overall level of household vulnerability is 0.48 on a scale of 0 to 1 (the closer the value is to 1, the higher the vulnerability). The composite VCC index is explained more by the inability of households to adapt (0.57), followed by their sensitivity to climate change (0.49) and, finally, their level of exposure (0.37).
helps to compare and prioritize the regions of Senegal. The results reveal that the regions of Matam, Louga, Kaffrine, Tambacounda, and Kolda have a higher incidence of households with VCC scores in the “much more vulnerable” category than those in other categories in 2021. Fatick, Kaolack, Sédhiou, and Kédougou have a higher share of “more vulnerable” households. The central western part of the country (Dakar and Thiès) has a greater share of “much less vulnerable households” than other categories. Finally, the regions of Saint- Louis, Diourbel, and Ziguinchor have a higher proportion of “less vulnerable” households. Case Study 2: Households’ Vulnerability to Climate Change in Senegal
African agrifood systems through the lenses of environmental changes and household vulnerabilities. • The analysis of environmental risks associated with climate change in Africa reveals significant and varied impacts across the continent, highlighting several critical areas requiring immediate attention and strategic intervention. • The presentation also sheds light on vulnerability to climate change using case studies from two countries (Rwanda and Senegal). • In these two countries, the inability to adapt to climate change is the dimension that most explains the vulnerability, followed by the sensitivity dimension for Senegal and the exposure dimension for Rwanda.
urgent need for policies aimed at mitigating the effects of rising temperatures, which threaten both ecosystems and human livelihoods. • The variability in precipitation is a precursor to potential drought conditions, impacting water availability and agricultural productivity. The findings emphasize the necessity for adaptive water resource management and the implementation of drought-resistant agricultural practices. • These policies should prioritize the development of climate-resilient agrifood systems and health adaptation strategies to enhance the resilience of communities and safeguard human, animal, and plant health. • There would be much value in an integrated dashboard to track and report annually all climate-driven sickness and death in people, livestock, and plants. • A representative sample of all households is needed. This database should contain data about households’ perception of climate shocks (drought/irregular rainfall, flooding, heavy rainfall) in recent years. Second, the database must inform researchers about households’ sensitivity to these shocks as well as their adaptation strategies.
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