Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Climate change hits Africa

Getrude Makhafola in the Sowetan (South Africa): With food security at risk worldwide, the unprecedented effects of climate change will result in a 20percent increase in malnourished children in Africa by 2050. This grim picture emerged at the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (Farnpan) regional food security network in Windhoek, Namibia. The dialogue is being attended by 200 delegates ranging from policymakers and researchers to farmers seeking to address food security and minimise the effect of climate change.

"The world population is increasing. There will be 50percent more people in 2050 and more food will be needed. Climate change puts additional pressure on this. We have to figure out how we adapt to that," Gerald Nelson, senior research fellow at the US based International Food Policy Research Institution said.

Jonathan Nzuma, who conducts research at Kenya's Nairobi University, said some African countries had started to come up with strategies in response to climate change. … "At least 14 African countries have developed and submitted National Adaptations Programmes of Action (Napa) to the United Nation's climate change committee. These include Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, the DRC, and Mozambique," Nzuma said.

But he said it was not clear from Napa whether countries were implementing the adaptation strategies specified….

1 comment:

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Africa is facing difficult times. The effects of the global economic recession and climate change have already begun to reverse the progress the continent has made over the last decade.Many countries are experiencing reduced trade and economic activity.