Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta said concern over the negative impact of climate change has strengthened fears that environmental degradation and demographic pressures will displace millions of people in Africa and cause serious social upheaval.
The minister made these remarks during the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue with Africa held under the theme ‘Inspire more climate action’ here on Monday.
Shifeta said that it is common knowledge that as a continent, Africa is responsible for only a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions but is suffering disproportionately from climate change.
“Most scientists studying the potential impact of climate change have predicted that Africa is likely to experience higher temperatures, rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, and increased climate variability, all of which could affect much of its population. The actual and potential impacts of climate change in Africa are wide ranging, affecting many aspects of people’s everyday lives,” he noted.
Many climate models predict negative impacts of climate change on agricultural production and food security in large parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Higher temperatures, the drying up of soils, increased pest and disease pressure, shifts in suitable areas for growing crops and livestock, increased desertification in the Sahara region, floods, deforestation, and erosion are all signs that climate change is already happening and represents one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing Africa, Shifeta said.
“Under the Paris Agreement reached at COP21, all countries agreed to take collective action on climate change to keep global temperature increases well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Nearly all African countries have signed and ratified the Paris Agreement, and have committed to enhancing climate action through reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience,” he said.
Shifeta noted that African countries have outlined bold aspirations to build climate resilient and low-carbon economies in their Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement, however, many of Africa’s commitments are conditional upon receiving adequate financial, technical and capacity building support.
“Climate finance is critical for enabling Africa to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change and to ensure that its future development path is consistent with the goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he noted.
Source: Namibian Press Agency