A recent study indicates that all subregions of Africa will exceed the 1.5°C climate threshold by 2040, regardless of low emission scenarios. Conducted by researchers from the University of Zimbabwe and ILRI, the research underscores the need for climate-resilient strategies in agriculture. This finding highlights Africa’s vulnerability despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, necessitating urgent and comprehensive adaptation measures.
Recent research published in CABI Reviews indicates that all five subregions of Africa are projected to exceed the 1.5°C threshold for climate change by the year 2040, even in scenarios characterized by low greenhouse gas emissions. This alarming conclusion stems from a comprehensive literature review conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of Zimbabwe, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya, and the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES).
The study highlights that despite Africa contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains vulnerable to significant climate warming impacts. The findings stress the necessity for proactive measures so that Africa’s agricultural sector can transition towards low emission and climate-resilient practices and achieve development goals consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Photographic evidence illustrates the reality faced by African pastoralists, such as the Dassanech, who are already adapting their livestock movements in response to increasingly arid conditions in regions like South Omo, Ethiopia. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for strategic interventions and support to enhance resilience against climate variability and change.
This research underscores the critical existential threat posed by climate change to the African continent, regardless of its minimal contribution to global emissions. The urgent need for low emission strategies and climate-resilient agricultural practices is paramount. As the urgency mounts, strategic planning and implementation of adaptation measures are essential for mitigating these impending climate impacts.
Original Source: www.cgiar.org
