africa
Newsletter
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Extreme weather is worsening Africa's cholera crisis
Relentless extreme weather in Africa has led to severe cholera outbreaks, killing thousands and affecting hundreds of thousands more.
Sebabatso Mosamo, Farai Mutsaka, and Gerald Imray report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Since late 2021, more than 6,000 people have died and nearly 350,000 have been infected with cholera in southern and East Africa.
- Extreme weather, including cyclones, floods, and droughts, has increased the incidence of cholera by contaminating water sources.
- A global shortage of cholera vaccines has exacerbated the crisis, particularly in poorer countries that are most affected.
Key quote:
"The outbreaks are getting much larger because the extreme climate events are getting much more common."
— Tulio de Oliveira, South Africa-based disease scientist
Why this matters:
Floods not only spread cholera but also destroy crops, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition, which weakens immune systems and makes populations more vulnerable to diseases. Conversely, droughts deplete water sources, pushing people to use contaminated water for drinking and cooking.
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El Niño-triggered drought leads to severe hunger in southern Africa
A devastating drought driven by the El Niño weather pattern has led to widespread crop failure in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, resulting in severe food shortages and national emergency declarations.
Jenipher Changwanda and Freddie Clayton report for Yale Environment 360.
In short:
- Southern Africa experienced its worst mid-season dry spell in over a century, drastically reducing maize harvests.
- Food prices in some drought-affected areas have increased by up to 82%, and more than 18 million people now need urgent humanitarian assistance.
- Efforts to adapt with climate-smart farming techniques have had limited success against extreme weather conditions.
Key quote:
“I cannot remember anything like this. People are so hungry they are stealing food ... If we survive until the next harvest, it will be by the grace of God.”
— Esnart Chongani, Zambian farmer
Why this matters:
Climate change is likely making extreme weather events like El Niño more severe, increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts. The current El Niño, a periodic climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, has significantly disrupted weather patterns globally. In Southern Africa, this has manifested in prolonged dry spells and intense heat, crippling agricultural production in regions heavily reliant on rainfall for farming. As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events are likely to increase.
Opinion: The case for a child-centered energy and climate policy
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Climate change and its impact on Africa's public health
Africa's rising temperatures are worsening vector-borne diseases in vulnerable regions, a serious public health issue.
In short:
- Rising temperatures in Africa extend the life cycle of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing disease spread.
- Edward Miano emphasized climate change as a major public health crisis, linking it to the reemergence of diseases in previously unaffected areas.
- Collaborative efforts across various sectors are deemed necessary to combat the adverse effects of climate change on health.
Key quote:
"It is crucial to acknowledge the gravity of the situation that we are facing today, especially around climate change, as it is no longer only an environmental concern, but it has evolved into a significant public health crisis with far-reaching implications for communities worldwide."
— Edward Miano, executive director of the Health Rights Advocacy Forum
Why this matters:
Climate change reshapes our environment and our health landscape, making once rare diseases common and introducing new health threats to regions already facing socio-economic challenges.
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Struggle for African penguin survival intensifies
African penguins face extinction by 2035 unless immediate conservation action is taken, warns a leading seabird conservationist.
In short:
- African penguins have lost 99% of their population over the past century and are declining at a rate of 8% annually.
- Legal action has been initiated against the South African government for failing to protect these endangered seabirds.
- The penguins’ main food sources, sardines and anchovies, are being depleted by commercial fishing, further threatening their survival.
Key quote:
“We cannot let a species go extinct on our watch.”
— Kate Handley, Biodiversity Law Centre
Why this matters:
African penguins serve as a key indicator species; their decline signals profound ecological shifts that could have cascading effects on other marine life and the health of the oceans. Native to the coastlines of southern Africa, these penguins have faced relentless threats, primarily from oil spills, overfishing, and climate change, which have drastically reduced their food sources and disrupted their breeding habitats.
Also see: Scientists race to save seabirds threatened by climate change
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Process raw materials in Africa to benefit its people and environment
Africa should boost its economy and environment by processing its own raw materials, says leading environmentalist Wanjira Mathai.
In short:
- Wanjira Mathai, from the World Resources Institute, advocates for processing Africa's resources locally to aid in the global shift toward a low-carbon future.
- Processing locally can enhance income and reduce carbon emissions from transporting raw materials.
- Mathai emphasizes that investing in local processing is crucial for building sustainable and resilient African economies.
Key quote:
“There’s a real opportunity in green industrialisation(...) We have to build resilience that is deep, that is anchored in wealth creation.”
— Wanjira Mathai, managing director for Africa and global partnerships at the World Resources Institute.
Why this matters:
Africa's abundant resources have historically fueled the global economy, yet little of the economic benefits from them has remained in the continent. Moving up in the value chain can foster economic independence and environmental sustainability for local communities.
As nations worldwide strive to combat climate change by transitioning to renewable energy, they find themselves grappling with how to avoid repeating the mistakes of 150 years of fossil fuel production.
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Zambia grapples with the fallout of climate change
In Zambia, a country heavily reliant on rainfall, the ongoing climate crisis starkly highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions and international support.
In short:
- Zambia faces a dire food security crisis, with significant crop failures due to insufficient rainfall and extreme heat.
- The nation's energy supply is also threatened, leading to enforced power outages, further straining its economy and development progress.
- Efforts to adapt to these challenges include adopting climate-smart agriculture and seeking international assistance for loss and damage due to climate change.
Key quote:
"We are suffering because the climate has changed. We have never suffered a drought like this."
— Collins Nzovu, head of Zambia's Ministry for Green Economy and Environment
Why this matters:
Zambia faces a series of climate-related challenges, including extreme weather events, erratic rainfall patterns leading to both drought and flooding, and significant impacts on agriculture, which is the backbone of its economy and the livelihood of many of its citizens.
Every day that goes by in which wealthy nations fail to hold themselves accountable for achieving net zero reductions is a declaration that they don’t care if developing nations drown or dry up.
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Land deals in Africa prompt concerns for local communities
Communities in Liberia and other African countries face potential displacement and loss of livelihood due to extensive land sales to a Dubai-based company, Blue Carbon, aimed at conservation and carbon credit sales.
In short:
- Blue Carbon's conservation strategy involves acquiring large land areas in Africa, intending to sell carbon credits, a move critics dub "carbon colonialism."
- Legal and human rights issues emerge as the company secures land without consulting Indigenous communities, raising fears of dispossession and cultural destruction.
- Despite aims to combat climate change, experts question the climate benefits of such carbon credit projects, highlighting concerns over transparency and the actual environmental impact.
Key quote:
“There is no opposition to fighting climate change, but it has to be done in a way that respects people’s rights and does not breach the law.”
— Ambulah Mamey, Liberian activist
Why this matters:
Companies like Blue Carbon focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, which are crucial for carbon sequestration. However, critics use the term "carbon colonialism" to describe dynamics where wealthier, often Western-based companies or nations acquire vast areas of land in poorer, developing countries for carbon offset projects.
Small-scale clean energy and low carbon technologies—such as solar panels, smart appliances and electric bicycles—are more likely to push society toward meeting climate goals than large-scale technologies, according to a 2020 study.
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