Climate change has been identified as a leading human and environmental crisis of

the 21st century. The problem of understanding climate change is one of the
significant challenges confronting African people, their governments, and the
African Union. The State of the Climate in Africa 2021 report provides authoritative
scientific information on temperature trends and other climate indicators. It shows
how extreme weather and climate change are undermining human health and safety,
food, water security, and socio-economic development. Africa only accounts for
about 2% to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions but suffers disproportionately
from the results.

According to the report regarding the state of Climate in Africa, “Africa’s climate has
warmed more than the global average since pre-industrial times (1850-1900). In
parallel, the sea level rise along African coastlines is faster than the global mean,
contributing to increases in the frequency and severity of coastal flooding and
erosion, and salinity in low-lying cities.”

However, droughts and floods are the top concern. In the past 50 years,
drought-related hazards have claimed the lives of over half a million people and led
to economic losses of over 70 billion USD in the region.

First talking about drought, drought in Africa has worsened following consecutive
failed rainy seasons combined with heightened conflict, related population
displacement, and COVID-19 restrictions. Water shortages has threatened regional
security in parts of the world. The war in Syria has been partly blamed on a drought
that caused rural workers to migrate to urban areas in search of opportunity. The
ensuing lack of opportunity led to mass protests and unrest that eventually helped
trigger the war. Moreover, many parts of Northern Africa experienced extreme heat,
especially in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya. This was accompanied by
wildfires. Sand and dust storms were a recurring problem.

Secondly, about floods. More than 1000 flood-related disasters were reported
involving more than 20 000 deaths in Africa over this period. It is estimated that by
2050, climate impacts could cost African nations 50 billion USD annually. In many
flood events, there was substantial damage to infrastructure, croplands, and
livestock, which compromised food production and access, as well as water
resources and sanitation also critical to food security. Floods may sweep away urban
slums, destroying homes and livelihoods.
Over the past decade (2010–2019), weather-related events displaced an estimated
23.1 million people on average each year, leaving much more vulnerable to poverty.
Most refugees come from countries that are most vulnerable and least ready to
adapt to the impacts of climate change.
To conclude, it's difficult to predict the exact impacts of climate change, what's clear
is that the climate we are accustomed to is no longer a reliable guide for what to
expect in the future. So the easiest way for Africans to keep themselves safe is to
adapt to climate change. Adaption helps them prepare for some of the likely effects
of climate change by reducing their impacts on ecosystems and people's well-being.
Examples of adaptation include strengthening water conservation programs,
upgrading stormwater systems, developing early warning systems for extreme heat
events, and preparing for stronger storms through better emergency preparation
and response strategies.