KAMPALA – While there has been considerable progress globally in imposing climate-related regulations, there remains a significant knowledge deficit in African countries that prevents them from effectively benefiting from international climate negotiations. According to a survey by the African Development Bank, only 12% of Africans have a good understanding of climate change, whereas 60% have never heard of it (AfDB, 2019). This knowledge gap is particularly critical given that 15% of the world’s population resides in Africa, yet only 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to the continent (IPCC, 2018).
With the 29th Conference of Parties (COP 29) recently concluded, African countries are at the forefront of the climate change conflict. The most severely affected communities, including mothers and children, continue to suffer the greatest impacts of climate-induced calamities. For example, in Uganda, prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall have severely impacted agricultural productivity, exacerbating food insecurity. Across the African continent, limited access to climate finance remains a significant barrier, contributing to the crippling debt of many countries.
The figures are alarming. Research by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) indicates that 70% of Africans rely on rain-fed agriculture, making them particularly vulnerable to climate-related shocks. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that climate change will result in an additional 250,000 fatalities per year between 2030 and 2050, primarily due to hunger, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and heat stress (WHO, 2018). In Uganda, malaria cases have surged in regions previously unaffected due to changing climate patterns, highlighting the direct impact on public health.
So, what can be done to address Africa’s climate crisis? First and foremost, African countries must have greater access to and affordability of climate finance. This can be accomplished through the use of grants, concessional loans, and guarantee instruments. The African Development Bank’s Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) is an excellent example of such an endeavor, providing financial support for climate-resilient projects (AfDB, 2020).
Second, policy enforcement needs to be strengthened at the national level. Governments must create and implement comprehensive climate change policies that promote climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, and disaster risk reduction. For instance, Uganda’s National Climate Change Policy aims to integrate climate change considerations into development planning and activities, promoting sustainable land management and renewable energy projects.
Third, efforts must be made to close Africa’s knowledge gap on climate change. Climate education and awareness programs targeted at vulnerable groups, such as mothers and children, can help achieve this goal. In Uganda, initiatives like the Uganda Climate Action Network are working to raise awareness and educate communities about climate change impacts and adaptation strategies.
Finally, the global community must acknowledge the historical role of industrialized countries in contributing to climate change. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) must be followed, ensuring that wealthier countries provide sufficient climate funding, technology, and capacity-building assistance to developing countries. Addressing the information gap in Africa through climate education is crucial for empowering communities to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change effectively.
By implementing these strategies, African countries can better navigate the challenges posed by climate change and work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
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The writer, Abisagi Nalwadda is a journalism student at Makerere University’s Department of Journalism and Communication.
