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IPCC WGII Third Assessment Report – Regional Issues with Emphasis on Developing Countries of Africa. Paul V. Desanker (Malawi) Coordinating Lead Author Chapter 10 (Africa). Outline. Summary of Key Impacts Over Africa Some thoughts on Adaptation Some suggestions for emphasis.
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IPCC WGII Third Assessment Report – Regional Issues with Emphasis on Developing Countries of Africa Paul V. Desanker (Malawi) Coordinating Lead AuthorChapter 10 (Africa)
Outline • Summary of Key Impacts Over Africa • Some thoughts on Adaptation • Some suggestions for emphasis
Overall Science Basis Much improved science understanding of the issues of climate change for Africa • Climate system: nature of variability at sub-regional level (Southern Africa, Sahel, etc), ENSO, climate variability • Improved data on impacts of Extreme events (floods, droughts, major storm, disease epidemics) • Seasonal forecasts used operationally
African Climate Projected Climate: Trends, Extremes • Persistent droughts – feedbacks between climate and land surface condition • Extremes projected to get worse • Recent incidences of extremes example of vulnerabilities and very low adaptive capacity
Cairo:Megacity, vulnerable to sea-level rise The Nile: vulnerable to climate variability and human pressures, transboundary issue
Morocco:North Atlantic Oscillation – climate variability and major impacts on fisheries
The Sahel: • Rainfall Variability modulated by vegetation dynamics • Species loss • Major impacts on livelihoods
Gulf of Guinea: Very large coastal cities vulnerable to sea level rise
Central Africa: Land cover change interlinked with regional climate, impacta areas away from immediate deforested area.
South-West Africa Coastal marine fisheries adversely affected by changes in Banguela current
Southern Africa Droughts Impacts on economy shown
Cape Flora Loss or displacement of species in biodiversity-risk Cape and Karoo areas
Floods Populous coastal areas highly exposed to floods, also key infrastructure
East African Great Lakes Lake levels very sensitive to climate variability
East African Agriculture Growing season shifts have serious impacts on crops
Droughts in Horn of Africa Recurrent droughts
Sectoral Issues: Food Grain yields are projected to decrease for many scenarios, diminishing food security, particularly in small food-importing countries (medium to high confidence).
Water Major rivers of Africa are highly sensitive to climate variation; average runoff and water availability would decrease in Mediterranean and southern countries of Africa (medium confidence).
Vector Diseases Extension of ranges of infectious disease vectors would adversely affect human health in Africa (medium confidence). - MORE MALARIA!
Vector Diseases Desertification would be exacerbated by reductions in average annual rainfall, runoff, and soil moisture, especially in southern, North, and West Africa (medium confidence).
Settlements Coastal settlements in, for example, the Gulf of Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Egypt, and along the East–Southern African coast would be adversely impacted by sea-level rise through inundation and coastal erosion (high confidence).
Overall Adaptive Capacity Adaptive capacity of human systems in Africa is very low due to lack of economic resources and technology.
Adaptation Constraints Region very diverse: while common problems, LDCs have differentiated needs given their very low economic ability
Adaptation Constraints Multiple stresses: health, land use, climate, economics etc interlinked in affecting livelihoods. Complicates assessment of impacts, but requires that climate change be considered in context of sustainable development.
Adaptation Constraints Adaptation to adverse impacts is local: • need to understand local climate change related hazards and develop programs to minimize risks at the local and regional level. • Each sector and region has critical needs, especially in LDCs where delayed action would make future actions more costly and lead to more damage
Overall Vulnerability High Vulnerability of human systems high as a result of heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture; frequent droughts and floods; and poverty.
Some Gaps – Opportunities for Progress • Lots of progress in observation of climate: need continued efforts • Remote sensing systems offer regional monitoring capability that cannot be matched by ground systems • Need more regional and national integrated assessment of impacts linked with development plans