Solutions to Global Warming in Africa

Solutions to global warming in Africa include effective land use planning to avoid forest degradation, developing renewable energy, and limiting the expansion of coal-fired power plants.
Although the countries of Africa have some of the lowest overall and per capita global warming emissions on the planet, they are also likely to suffer from some of the worst consequences of climate change. These impacts may already be unfolding in the form of droughts, famine, desertification, and population displacement. In the context of high levels of poverty and malnutrition, the priority for many African countries is increasing access to energy services and improving the economic welfare of their people. Africa, along with South America and Southeast Asia, has experienced a significant loss of forests in the past two decades. The Congo Basin Rainforest is the world's second largest tropical forest and spans 700,000 square miles in 6 countries. Fortunately, deforestation and forest degradation in the Congo Basin are historically low. New efforts are underway to ensure effective land use planning, balancing local subsistence needs with conservation. By pioneering new renewable energy projects and establishing forward-thinking innovation centers, many countries in Africa are looking to renewable energy as a solution to meet their growing energy needs in a sustainable way, while working toward practical adaptation strategies to mitigate global warming impacts. Meeting these adaptation challenges is the responsibility not only of the African nations that are facing them, but also of developed countries that bear the historical responsibility for most global warming emissions. While progress is being made, much more needs to be done to address current and future development and energy needs on the African continent.

Health
As our climate changes, the risk of injury, illness, and death from the resulting heat waves, wildfires, intense storms, and floods rises.
See how global warming is affecting health in The Netherlandsand find other hot spots with health impacts on the Climate Hot Map.

Extreme heat. If high temperatures, especially when combined with high relative humidity, persist for several days (heat waves), and if nighttime temperatures do not drop, extreme heat can be a killer. Of all climate-related projections by scientists, rising temperatures are the most robust. Higher temperatures are also the most influenced by human behavior: the fewer heat-

trapping emissions we release into the atmosphere, the cooler we can keep our planet. Because winter temperatures are rising faster than summer ones, cold-related deaths are likely to decline. "Natural" disasters. Projected changes in temperature and precipitation under global warming are likely to lead to other effects that threaten human health and safety. For example, changing precipitation patterns and prolonged heat can create drought, which can cause forest and peat fires, putting residents and firefighters in danger. However, a warming atmosphere also holds more moisture, so the chance of extreme rainfall and flooding continues to rise in some regions with rain or snow. In many heavily populated areas, sea-level rise is more likely to put people in the path of storm surges and coastal flooding. Warmer ocean waters may spawn more intense tropical hurricanes and typhoons while ocean cycles continue to be a factor in the frequency of tropical cyclones. Poor air quality. Three key ingredientssunlight, warm air, and pollution from power plants and cars burning coal and gasolinecombine to produce ground-level ozone (smog), which humans experience as poor air quality. Higher air temperatures increase smog, if sunlight, fossil fuel pollution, and air currents remain the same. Allergens and other nuisances. Warmer temperatures and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stimulate some plants to grow faster, mature earlier, or produce more potent allergens. Common allergens such as ragweed seem to respond particularly well to higher concentrations of CO2, as do pesky plants such as poison ivy. Allergy-related diseases rank among the most common and chronic illnesses that can lead to lower productivity. Spreading diseases. Scientists expect a warmer world to bring changes in "disease vectors"the mechanisms that spread some diseases. Insects previously stopped by cold winters are already moving to higher latitudes (toward the poles). Warmer oceans and other surface waters may also mean severe cholera outbreaks and harmful bacteria in certain types of seafood. Still, changes in land use and the ability of public health systems to respond make projecting the risk of vector-borne disease particularly difficult.

People do not bear the health risks of climate change equally because:

Climate trends differ by region. People who live in floodplains, for example, are more likely to see river or coastal flooding. Similarly, people who live in regions with poor air quality today are at greater risk from poor air quality days in the future. Some people are more vulnerable to illness or death. Young children, the elderly, and those who are already ill are less able to withstand high temperatures and poor air quality, for example. Temperature extremes and smog hit people with heart and respiratory diseases, including asthma, particularly hard. Wealthy nations are more likely to adapt to projected climate change and recover from climate-related disasters than poor countries . Even within nations, less economically fortunate individuals are more vulnerable because they are less likely to have air conditioning and wellinsulated homes, and because they have fewer resources to escape danger.

Better planningthrough investments in infrastructure and public health strategiescan help communities become more resilient in a warming world. However, the costs of coping with health risks linked to severe climate change are often higher than the costs of curbing heattrapping emissions in the first place.

Food
Climate-related threats to global food production include risks to grain, vegetable, and fruit crops, livestock, and fisheries.

See how global warming threatens food production in Vietnamand find other hot spots with food impacts on the Climate Hot Map.

Reduced yields. The productivity of crops and livestock, including milk yields, may decline because of high temperatures and drought-related stress. Increased irrigation. Regions of the world that now depend on rain-fed agriculture may require irrigation, bringing higher costs and conflict over access to water. Planting and harvesting changes. Shifting seasonal rainfall patterns and more severe precipitation eventsand related floodingmay delay planting and harvesting. Decreased arability. Prime growing temperatures may shift to higher latitudes, where soil and nutrients may not be as suitable for producing crops, leaving lower-latitude areas less productive. More pests. Insect and plant pests may survive or even reproduce more often each year if cold winters no longer keep them in check. New pests may also invade each region as temperature and humidity conditions change. Lower-latitude pests may move to higher latitudes, for example. Risks to fisheries. Shifts in the abundance and types of fish and other seafood may hurt commercial fisheries, while warmer waters may pose threats to human consumption, such as increasing the risk of infectious diseases. Extreme ocean temperatures and ocean acidification place coral reefs-the foundations of many of the world's fisheries-at risk.

As with health risks, nations and individuals do not bear threats to the global food supply equally. Nations that lose arable land and critical fisheries may not have the resources or climate to pursue reasonable-cost options for maintaining food security. Some nations are also more vulnerable to unfavorable international trade agreements and regional strife that may interrupt food distribution. CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON NIGERIA

Seasonal rainfall patterns have changed, in the southern parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, floods and erosion are now common. The Southern States and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria, including Delta, Edo, the Western and South Eastern States all experience flooding and massive soil erosion on a yearly basis. The northern states all experience a drastic lack of rain and loss of vegetation on a regular basis. Sea-level rise, Nigerian States aborting the Atlantic coast are all suffering from sea-level rise. Unless immediate steps are taken, much of the infrastructure development planned or now taking place may all be drowned out by sea-level rise in the not so distant future. The most recent studies predict a sealevel rise of up to six feet in the next twenty to fifty years. Most of the developments now taking place in Lagos Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross Rivers States will all be submerged under water. A call to be pro-active is well deserved. Nigerians and her rulers must take sea-level rise and climate change into consideration when planning for infrastructure developments. Nigerias fresh water fish and vegetation may be negatively impacted as the salt water of the oceans inordinate the rivers and lakes. Mangrove forests and fish may be rendered extinct. The already polluted waters in the oil producing areas of Nigeria are likely to move northwards and cause havoc in the only land areas spared in the north which desertification is already wiping out. Both the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice are melting and this phenomena can not be stopped. This means all of Nigerias coastal regions stretching from the west to the east will be affected. Millions will be displaced, infrastructure destroyed. Diseases will become rampart leading to further civil unrest. Population displacement and dislocation. Nigeria and much of Western Africa is already experiencing population dislocation, mostly from our neighbors to the north and within. These forced migrations are putting huge pressures on the already large population in these countries and causing strife among the general population in terms of water, food shortages and diseases such as malaria, leprosy, polio, river blindness, and a host of others will become even more common. Sea level rise and flooding will create even greater problems as Nigerias south harbors the highest population density. Where will all the displaced people go? Are the Nigerian government, NGOs and/or private organizations proactively planning on population relocation as a result of sea level rise or flooding? Global warming is a reality and is already here. We should already have projects on the ground with active contingency plans ready for execution. Erosion The Southeastern states have erosion problems dating from several years and this problem continues to grow. Recently the Governors of the Southeastern states called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare the southeast zone an emergency for erosion intervention measures. They specifically proposed massive forestation projects, a water channelization master plan, and sustainable land. Drought Nigerias National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is alerting her northern states of

an impending catastrophe. States such as Sokoto, Katsina, Zamphara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa are suffering the effects of climate change. Inadequate preparation will lead to water and food shortages nationally. Health and Welfare Diseases- adverse health effects from warmer temperatures- Diseases typically found in certain zones like the hotter desert areas or flood prone areas are likely to spread into regions where these diseases were previously unknown, thereby adversely affecting the general population. Examples include aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever. Food or water borne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E and typhoid fever. Respiratory disease: Meningococcal meningitis and animal contact disease: rabies. Climate change may also lead to massive increases and migration in disease vectors such as mosquitoes, rats, mice, cockroaches, etc Transportation Transportation networks are vital to any nations economy, safety, communication, and quality of life. Climate change impacts pose significant challenges to Nigerias existing and proposed transportation systems. Our existing sea-ports and airports at Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, Kano and Calabar as well as the proposed rail system in the country, the road network linking all the states in the federation would all be threatened if adequate planning is not put in place. Examples exist worldwide where flooding, sandstorms and other natural disasters have disrupted travel of all types including air, water, rail and freight shipments. Political Civil unrest of the population; in a climate where the health and welfare of the general population is at stake, political unrest becomes common. Lack of Food, Drinking and irrigation Water Availability IMMEDIATE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Alternative Energy Sources Over the years most of the developing world including Nigeria, have depended on firewood and charcoal for heating purposes at home and in light industries. This practice has depleted the rain forest and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural gas. The time has come for our nation to embark on a project to make natural gas available to its citizenry. Natural gas development and distribution may be expensive and time consuming in the short run, but eventually will pay off. Natural gas gives off far less carbon dioxide and is a cleaner burning fuel. In the northern parts of the country wind power is an energy resource that could be easily harnessed. Solar energy is also readily available. Nigeria is a God blessed nation devoid of calamities except those we have imposed on ourselves. The time has come for us to be smart and take care of our own. If we dont, know one will.

 The oil companies have practiced gas flaring since they first came to Nigeria and have continued and Nigerian authorities have allowed them to. This is a wasted natural resource, which could be harnessed and put into good use. Gas flaring is also polluting the atmosphere and negatively affecting the people living in these areas in several ways. Many leaders in Nigeria have expressed concern over climate change and its impacts but little or nothing is being done to arrest the situation. For examples, desertification in the northern states and flooding and erosion in the middle belt and southern states respectively. These problems are not new. Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria has been suffering from climate change for over fifty years. We are well aware that the financial assistance the gross polluters as well as so-called rich countries, including China and India and Brazil are now willing to make available to developing countries is nothing but a mere token. Nigeria must have projects and plans in place to validate its seriousness of ameliorating the impacts of global warming to successfully compete and win some of this money. Nigeria has no choice but to successfully partner with her neighbors. Global warming is a regional problem which one community would be unable to solve, it requires cooperation among nations working together. For example, Nigeria would have to partner with Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana. In addressing the issue of drought, Nigeria would partner with Niger and Chad. If this is not done, the citizens of Niger and Chad will be forced to seek refuge in Nigeria as the drought gets worse in their country due to a lack of food and water. Working together to curb drought would make lifes necessities available to our neighbors thereby discouraging mass climate refugees migrating to Nigeria. Establish partnerships with nations familiar with flooding and flood controls e.g. Denmark. Territorial Area Climate Change (TACC) Build sea walls, levees in areas subjected to flooding and sea level rise

Harness water: - water channelization and storageCreate man-made lakes Adopt Israels drip irrigation systems where needed, due to limited exposure to evaporation. Regional Planners should allocate areas where development would be allowed. Encourage systems of living efficiently with water Designate flood plains to be devoid of development Re-Forestation and vegetation cover A massive program for re-forestation; creation of forest timber, cocoa, rubber, palm fruit and nut plantations for commercial purposes would not only reduce green-house gases (GHG) but also create employment. Reclamation and clean up of petroleum polluted lands of the Niger Delta Region. Many of the fertile lands in the Niger Delta is polluted and abandoned. If they are cleaned up, these lands could be used together with others for the re-forestation programs.

OTHER METHODS OF REDUCING GLOBAL WARMING IMPACTS Promulgate laws and regulations for green buildings, Grant tax incentives to encourage environmentally sound buildings Education: Introduce Climate Change in schools from elementary to university levels. Educate the public Reuse, Recycle and Reduce materials such as paper, aluminum, steel, etc Notes Global surface temperature is defined in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report as the average of near-surface air temperature over land and sea surface temperature. 90% uncertainty interval. The 2001 IPCC joint statement was signed by the world wide scientific community. REFERENCES For a green Delta: A look at climate change The Guardian, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Thurs., Oct. 22, 2009 Antarctic coastal ice thinning surprises experts Yahoo News, Alister Doyle, Wed. Sept. 23, 2009 Climate Change: House Cttee decries Nigerias response This Day, Onwuka Nzeshi, Sept. 25, 2009 FG Convenes Inter-Ministerial Parley on Climate Change This Day, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Oct. 26, 2009 Erosion: South-East govs seek emergency declaration, This Day, Sufuyan Ojeifo, Nov. 12, 2009 The warning on drought, This Day, Editorial, Oct. 29, 2009 Global Warming in Africa: http://www.climatehotmap.org/africa.html Global Warming: Early Warning Signs:

FACTS ABOUT GOING GREEN!!!!

Green fact #3

the amount of sunlight that falls on the Earths surface in one minute is sufficient to meet world energy demand for an entire year.

According to the American Solar Energy Society, the amount of sunlight that falls on the Earths surface in one minute is sufficient to meet world energy demand for an entire year.

Green fact #4

the computer youre using right now, in all the years youll own it, will never consume more energy than was required to create it
81% of the life-cycle energy costs associated with a single computer is from its manufacture, only 19% from its operation. The production of a single computer also uses 42,000 gallons of water. Please recycle your used electronics and turn them off when not in use.

Green fact #5

recycling a single aluminum can would run a TV for three hours

The energy saved by recycling a single aluminum can would run a TV for three hours. Every three months, Americans toss out enough aluminum to completely rebuild the nations commercial airline fleet.

Green fact #6

we would save $3 billion in energy costs annually and cut national CO2 emissions by over a full percent!
If the entire population of the United States washed their clothes exclusively with cold water (instead of hot), we would save $3 billion in energy costs annually and cut national CO2 emissions by over a full percent!

Green fact #7

recycling one ton of paper saves 20 trees, 7,000 gallons of water

Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves 20 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, three cubic yards of landfill space, 60 pounds of air pollutants, and saves enough energy to power the average home for six months?

Green fact #8

15% to 30% of a homes total heating and cooling energy is lost through poorly sealed duct-work
An estimated 15% to 30% of a homes total heating and cooling energy is lost through poorly sealed duct-work, costing consumers about $5 billion dollars annually.

Green fact #9

Burning one gallon of gasoline creates about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide

Burning one gallon of gasoline creates about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide. The average mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of CO2 per year.

Green fact #10

10 calories of fossil fuel energy to grow, process, and deliver 1 calorie of food energy to our tables
It takes, on average, 10 calories of fossil fuel energy to grow, process, and deliver 1 calorie of food energy to our tables.