Climate Change and its Challenges to Africa's Development Vision PDF

2.4 CLIMATECHANGE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT VISION Climate an average of weather conditions in a place over...

2.4 CLIMATECHANGE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT VISION Climate an average of weather conditions in a place over a long period -30 years or more. It is represents the sum of all interacting atmospheric processes over a given period. Weather refers to a short- term atmospheric condition such as the temperature and precipitation on a certain day, the state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm,clearness or cloudiness. Climatir zones are kpaciouk areaR with a climatie kimilarity.The elifmate zonAK Kpred in an agt wAxt dirertinn around the I(arth and ean he elaxitted uxinç ditterent climatie parameterx. Climatic region reters to any geographic area in which similar climate characteristics are observed. Such as temperature, precipitation, and natural Vegetation 2.1 OVERVIEW OF WORLD CLIMATIC REGIONSAND TYPES Global climate a description of the climate of the Earth as a whole, with the regional is all differences averaged. Geographers and climatologists defined climatic region based on different climatic elements. In fact, the Earth's climate driven by energy from the sun which arrives is in the form of radiation. 2.1.1 Climate Classifications Knowing a location's climate classification: Help people know what types of climatic conditions a region usually experiences throughout the year. 19|Pu Can be useful to choose appropriate building materialx for proteetion and elurahility Helps considering what crops are likely to thrive in a region. Help for tourists,to select and pack appropriate elothiny Thereie are various classitication schemes used by climatologists for categorizing world's climate into different regionx Exanple: L Ancient Greck world climote classification Käppen Syxlem of Climate Classification. ii. Ancicnt Greck world climate classification. The rst atempt at climate classification was made by the ancient Greeks that divided the World into thrve znex: The torrid (tropical) zone i. The temperate ne ii. The Frigid Zone iii. -Figidane Tonjd zone Ternperatezone zone -Frigid Tlaure 2.: World Climate Zones Accoding to Ancient Greeks Today, climate eintixts xplit the earth into apprximately five major typex tropial, cry. tenuperate, coutinental, and polar cosidering a variety of factor including altitudc, air pressure, wind patterns, latitude and ygraphiral churxterixtiex KIKh ax montainx and Oceans. ii. Köppen System of Climate Classification. It is one of the most widely used classification schemesof climate. I was made by th: Gcrman Climatologist and Botanist Wladimirköppen (1846-1940). He divided the world's elimates based npon general temperature protiles related to latitude, Ile uses easily regarding mean monthly and annual values of temperature and precipitation. Ile believed that the distribution of natural vegetation was the best expression of an overall climate. Köppen recognized five principal climate groups, each designatedwith a capital letter: A: Humid tropical climate B: Dry climate C: Humid middle-latitude, mild winters D: Humid middle-latitude, severe winters E: Polar climate H: Highland climate. Note: For groups (A,C, D, and F) are defincd by temperature. The ifth, (group D), has precipitation as its primary criterion, while H is determined by altitude 2.1.2 World Climate Zones and Regions Climate zones are areas with distinct climates, which occur in the east-west direction around the Earth, and they can be classified using different climatic parameters. Generally, climate zones are belt-shaped and circular around the poles. In some areas, climate zones can be interrupted by mountains or oceans. The world's climate pattern reflects a regular and dependable operation of the major climate controls. The solar radiation reaches the ground on different parts of the Earth at different angles. On the equator, the sunlight reaches the ground almost perpendicularly, while at the poles the angle of the Sun is lower or even under the horizon during thc polar night. Thus, the snnlight warms up the Earth around the equator much more strongly than at the poles. Due to temperature differences caused by the differences in radiation. recurring climutic conditions develop. There are four major global climate zones: 1. Tropical Zone (between 0°- 23° Nand S) It located between the equator and the tropics. receives high solar radiation which reaches the ground nearly vertically angle at almost It the entire year. Thereby, it is very warm, high temperatures, more water evaporates and often moist air. The resulting frequent and dense cloud cover reduces the effect of solar radiation on the ground temperature. 2. Subtropics Zone (between 2340° N&S) It receives the highest radiation in summer, since the Sun's angle at noon is almost vertical to the Larth, while the cloud cover is relatively thin. Ihis region has less moisnure which increases the etfeet of radiation. Therefore, most of the deserts in the world are situated in this zone. In winter, the vndiation in these regions deereases significantly, and can temporarily he very it cool and dry. 3. Temperate Zonc (hetwecn 40"- 60 N&S) The temperate zone climate is characterized by: V receives low solar radiation that arrives at ground at a lower aungle. It The average temperatures much cooler than in the subtropics. The seasons and day length differ significantly in the course of a year. Ihe less trequent extremes, more regular distribution of the precipitation over the year. he lomger vegetation period-therefore, is named as temperate". it 4. Cold Zune (between 60°N- 90°S) 22 |Page The climate of this region is churacterized by: The polar area lies bet Wecn 6"latimde and the poles. receives less heat throughout solar radiation, since there is very low angle of the Sun. It Because of the changes of the Earth axis angle to the Sun, the day length varies most in this zone. For instance, in the summer, polar days occur. Therefore, this region has experienced low vegetation during a few months per year and even is often sparse. it The conditions in these regions make life very challenging. The characteristics of the climate ODes change with great altitude differences within a small area, like in mountain areas, since temperatures decrease rapidly with altitude. h 22 / 56 2.2 CLIMATETYPES AND REGION OF AFRICA The climate of Africa is characterized by a range of climates such as the equatorial climate, the tropical wet and dry climate,the tropical monsoon climate, the semi-arid climate (semi-desert and steppe), the desert climate (hyper-arid and arid), and the subtropical highland climate. Africa's position is relatively unique in the sense that it almost has a mirror image of climate zones to the north and South of the Equator with regard to latitude. General characteristic ofAfrican Climate Its climate is more variable in rainfall amount than in temperatures. Its deserts climate is the sunniest and driest parts of the continent. It's the hottest extended region year-round. Warm and hot climates prevail all over Africa. Its northern part is marked hy aridity and high temperatures. 23|Page Its has Mediterranean climate at northern and the southern fringes. It is the most tropical of all the continents. It is the continent that it has almost a mirror image of all climate zones. 2.2.1 Types and Characteristics of Climate region in Africa Africa climate is regulated hy the apparent movement of the sun between the two tropics and the associated movement of winds. Hased on these factors,African climate divided into cight climatic reglons. These are: I. The equutorial (trupical wet) region Tropical wet-and-dry climatic region II. II. Semi-arid climatic region IV, Hot desert climatic region V. Mediterranean climatic region VI. The Warm Temperate East Coast CHmate Region VII. Warm temperate upland and mountaln reglons VIIIL. The Mountain Climatic Region I. The Byuaturial Climate Region The cquatorlal cltmates are: It experlenced fn the lowland area between latitudes 5° N and 5° S of the equator. Itcovers muinly parts of Central Africa which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gubon and Cumeroon. It is also experienced in the Suuthern purt of Nigeriu, Ghunu, Benin und Sera Leone. Highland and coastal arcas, especlally in Eastern Afrtca, experlence modified cquatortal climate where the temperature is much lower than it is experienced in the true equatorial climate. The Equatorial climale is characterized by: It has temperatures ure very high throughout the yeur uveraging ubout 26°C. The hottest months in the year are March and September; occur when the sun is overhead at the equator. 24| Pa ge 24/56 The diurnal temperature range is very low,about 3°C. It is has nften hcavy cloud cover and humiditythroughout the year. This regiunmainly receives conveclival rainlall. II. The Tropical Wet-and-Dry climate Region The troptcal wct-and-dry region is often called the savanna climatic reginn. This regiun covers neurly lo hall of the lulul surlace areu ol' Lhe cuntinent, extendingluward the Equator from the semi-arid areas. In Eastern Africa, the tropical climate type is experienced in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia. In South Africa,it is experienced in Zambia, Malawi, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The tropicalwet and dry climate is characterizedby: Is rainfall is seusunalcharacter. It has seasonal rainfall, and has double passage of the ITCZ, hence has double peaks of rainfall. This regiunis under lhe inlluences ol maritime air masses and harmattan wind. Example: During the period of high sun, the maritime air masses produce up to stx months ofrainfall,the length of the rainy seusun depending un Lhe nearness tu the Equalor. The rest of the year is dry. In a few places, for example, on the coast of Mauritaniaand Scncgal, there is also a little rainfall in the period of low sun. As in he desert and semi-urid climatic zunes, nean monthly temperaturesshow less variation than datly temperatures. In western Africa, the period of luw sun currespods lo Lhe huraaun seusun. The harmattan is a warm, dry, northeasterly or easterly wind that blows out of the southern Sahara and is frequently laden with large quantities of sand and dust. There arc two pcalk periods of rainfall corresponding to the double passage of the inter Lropical cUnvergence zune (1TCZ). Clcar and bluc slsics are the common characteristics of this climate region in winter SCASOn. II.Semi-arid ClimaticRegion 25|Page This region fringesthe desert areas and includes the greater part of the land south of the Zambezi River. They differ from truc desert rcgions in bcing just within rcach of the ITC2 in thc coursc of itsseasonal movement and therefore,this region receiving more rainfall. Temperatures areabout the sameas thuse in the desert regions. IV. The Hot Desert Climatic Region Hot deserts are places where there is little orno rainfall. It Sahara and Kalahari deserts, which are always under the influenceof dry continental tropical air masses, and the northern Kenya-Somali desert, the aridity of which is principally caused by the stahle nature of the maritime air masses that pass over it throughout the year. The stability of these maritime air masses is induced by their passing over the cool body of water offshore. Its climate is characterized by: It has high mean monthly temperatures. Its diurnal (daily) temperature range is greater than the annual range of the temperature. The daytime temperatures are: Extremely high. / Day's temperatures usually range hetween 309C- 409C. Some places in the Sahara Desert experience above 40°C. The highest ever recorded temperature in the world was 58°C in Azizia, Libya. At night,temperatures are very low, dropping to below 10°C. The skies are and because of this, the heat received from the sun during clear the day is quickly lost back into the atmosphere at night. V.Mediterranean Climate Region It is also called Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate. It is experienced in very small areas of the continent. It is best devclopcd on the shores of the Meditcrrancan Sca and in the South western tip of Africa. It temperatures rangefrom 10° Cin winter to about21°C in summer. The Mediterranean areas lie in the path of westerly winds. Therefore this region is under the influcnccof wcstcrly winds. Fxample:  In the summer season, winds blow from the land to the sea carry dry air to region. Therefore, the region is characterized byA hot, sunny, bright and dry summer. In the winter season, cool moist winds blow towards the land from the sea. The influence of moist westerly winds also makes the winters mild/wet season. The average amount of rainfall each year is about 500-750 mm. VI. The Warm Temperate East Coast Climate Region The dimate is experienced between latitudes 30°- 40 north of the Equator and 30° - 40° South of the Equator. is experienced along the Eastern coast of South Africa, espeially in Natal and Cape It Provinces, as well as in Mozambique. These areas are under the strong influence of the warm Mozambique current and the warm southeast trade winds. Summer temperatures are generally high with an average of about 26°C and winter temperatures are low, averaging ahnut 10°C. Annual rainfall is between 1000- 1500 mm/year but it decrease, westwards into the interior. VII. Warm Temperate Continental Climate Region This clinale tainly exprienced in the interior of South Africa, between the Drakensberg is Mountains and the Kalahari Desert. receive low amount of rainfall beccause thc arca inland and the winds blowing from the It is sea reach here when they are already dry Most of the rain falls during the winter season and averages about 700 mm per year. The Eastern areas are wetter than those in the West which are close to the Kalahari Desert. The annual temperature ranges from about 26C in summerto about 10°C in winter. The region is the smallest ofall the climatic zones. Rainfall iscontrollced meinly by the onshore winds tha: come from Indian Ocean. VIIL. The Mountaln Climatic Region is found on the high mountain areas of east Africa Mount Kenya, Ethiopia and the lakes It region East Afs off Its climate is similar to the warm temperate upland dimate, except the temperatures are even lower and snow occurs on the tops of the highest peaks, such as Kilimanjaro. The area receives more rainfall than the surrounding areas. 27 |Page It mostly receives relief rainfall, formed as the warm moist winds are forced to rise up the highlands. The highest amount of rainfall is received on the windward slopes. At the lower slopes, the mountains are warmer and wetter. The slopes facing away from the sea are called leeward or rain shadow slopes. They receive little or no rain. The winds here are descending and have a cooling effect. Humid subtropical climatic region Temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. Atthe very top of high mountains, temperatures are below freezing point. is lound in castern side of continents belwveen 20° -35° norh and suuth latitudes. IL is a transitional between the tropical and temperate climates. It In Africa itconfined to the southeastern coast of south Africa. relatively high temperature with wam and wet climate. It In koppen's classification the humid subropical is constiutes of two climate ( Cfa & Cwa). 27/56 2.2.2 Factors Controlling Climate of Africa Therc arc several factors that intlucnce the cllmate of the Atrican continent. Thexe inludex, The latitude (the angle of the sun). The air pressure, wind system and the Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The major ocean currents. The land and water (maritime versus continental) influence The altitude. These factors determine the amount of temperature and precipitation. Latitude and its influence on Solar Radiation received I. 29|Page Afriex strxclllex the Fquxtor from 370 N 34°S; hence liex within the trupiex. The it varations in the recclpt ot solar cncrgy and temperature ditferenccs arc largely a tunction ot latitude In Africa. Temperature is high throughout the contincnt because ot the ontinent'% luation relative tu Equstor. As latitude increases, the sun shines more obliquely and provides less encrgy. The equator, however, faces the sun's rays directly, so the cllmate warm year round. is Pressure Systems, Winds, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCcz) II. Located on about Latitude 30° North and south of the Equator are Sub-tropical High Pressurc Bclts that dlctate surface wind patterns and influence rainfall and temperature rHgimes on ontinent. The Subtroplcal High-Pressurc Systems on both sides of the Equator generate two wind systems that converge on the cquator in a zone termed Converge Zone as Inter-Tropical ure Belt Pressure zone blows the Northeast Trade (ITC). Prom north, Suht ropiral Winds (locally callcd Harmattan). The Harmattan is dy and cool and blows over Sub-Saharan Africa from about November vs thH KOuth High Pressure belt zone blows the Southwest lo April. Prom s Sub-tropical 1 Trade Winds (locally called Monsoon). The Monsoon winds are moist arnd hring rainfsll to the cuwtx of WHxt Afrix. The Afriesn continent does not extend meh heyond 35° of latitude from the HUuator. or. The implication is that the range of climatic conditlons Is lmited and that the gencral dlrection ot wlnd movement is towards the cquator or towards the Inter tropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The ITCZ shifts with the xeKonal movHMent of the xun aeroxx the trupiexs: In June: the northern summer scason, the ITCZ locatcd at about 13 degrecs ot latitude Is in North Africa at the xouthern houndsry of the Sahara. In December, the Northern winter scason, the ITCZ movcs southward along the West African Coast and to the northern and castern margins of the Congo basin and continucs to Madagascar. Movements in the ITCZ are closely related to the distribution of rainfall and climatic zones. The climatic zones assume symmetry around the equator, although the high altitudes in some parts of the continent and the adjacent disturb the symmetry 3.Major Ocean Currents Winds that tend to blow persistently over the ocean tend to drag a thin surface layer of the waler in their direction flow. This layer of ocean water called Ocean Current dictates the of temperature and moisture characteristics of the wind and the coastal regions over which the wind blows. When occan currents blow from low latitudes (ncar to the cquator) 30| PagC 30/56 bicbo  towards higher latitudes (towards the pole) the currents carry Warm ocean water into relatively cool regions. Two types ofocean current Warm Ocean Current. i. Warm Ocean Currents supply moisture to winds blowing over them to develop rainfall on the adjaccnt coasts. In Africx, Warm Oean Currents are: Warm Gulnca Currents in West Atrica. Warm Mozambique Currents in Southeast Africa. Cool Ocean Currents ii. Cool ocean currents causes' moisture in winds blowing over them to condense and form fogs, etc. Cool currents, cause dry conditions and bring dry air to the adjacent coastal areas. In Africa, cool ocean currents are: the Cool Canary Currents- the western coast of the Sahara Desert, the Cool Benguela Currents -the Western coast of Nimib Desert. The cool ocean currents tend to create rich fishing grounds. Rich fishing grounds exist along the Morocco and Spanish Saharan Coasts that are washed by the Cool Canary Currents. The Namibian coast that washed by the Cool Benguela current also has rich is fixhing prounds. 4. Dixtrihution of Land and Walur arge water bodiex NIIch ax the Oan and hu Ixkex mextify elimate% in s«ljacnt Iands, In the I continental interior, a where there are no lage bodies of water closest to land The solid and it. thin Iand kurface gtx heated and released heat very rapictly. Threfore, Iand temperaturex t very warm in sumuner or duing the day while very cool and in wiate. These at night extremities in climate affect all states located in the interior of coutinents. Such climates are called Continental Climates against Maritime Climatex epwerienced on Iands lexated along he Ainal ad onomal vonges in temperature are very Aoli coasts, In places such as mbuktu high because of continentality. 5. Altitude 1|Pg Since energy from the sun is wansformed into heat on the sutace of he earth, air temperature ereases with altitude at an average sate decre of G.4 "C per 1000 meters. This change in temperaure with called the Iapxe Rale. lecae in tempertur with height, altit is mountainous regions such às the Eliopian highlands have very cool temperatures. Very high peaks such as Mountain Kilimanjares lkxated akng the xuatr even have wrmanent xnw cover. 2.3 BENEFITS OF CLIMATR ROR LFR OF PEOPLEOF AFRICA Climate affects nearly every aspect of people's lives affects our food sources. It affect Transport infrastructure. It affects what clothes wear. IL affects touristrecreation. It In general has a huge effect on our livelihood, health, and our future. it alxo determines people's settlement, distribution and way of living. It For instance, some places are overpopulated while the othes are few with people. Example: Areas where the betuer climae and associated facLors are support large population. On the other hand, rgns of xtrme cimati: *mitionx like the clesertx,rainforext, and woar regions have fewer people. Africa is a continent with a diversity of climate landscapcs. It has a climate that ranges trom intense heat to hitter call in itx different art.Thix liverxity in turn influenex the living xlyle of people ineluding xHltlemer karns lwihyol optinx, reNIMirH Hndowmnentx, hcalth, and wellbcing. 31/56 Climat playx xignifieant role in peslu' livax hy susaininy yriulturH, resting healthy environment, and providing vital water resources. 2.3.1 Climateand Agriculture in Africa Agriculture is the backbone of Africa's economy and accounts for the majority of livelihoods across the continent, It is an extremely important sector on the African continent, on average accounting for 70% of the labor force and over 25% of the Gross DomesticProduct(GDP). Agriculture and Nature Agriculture in Africa It deeply dependent on the weather, with farmers needing a steady mixture of sun, warmth, anl rainx tu reliahly produee the cropx thHy need. 32|Pag The bulk of agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa are highly climate-dependent: the region is marked by a strong dependence on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources. The majority of Africa's farmersworking on a small-scale or subsistence level and have few financial resources, and limited access to infrastructure, and,etc. Africa is one of the continents that are most highly affected by climate change for two reaxon: Its geographical characteristlcs ot having a major land lying across the warming troplcs. Moxt ofit countriex hax limited human, kocixl, and Hconomic capacity to adapt to the impactsoflimate ehange. A change in a cllmate, therctore, exacerbates the complexity of issucs In the continent due to few tHehnolgl inputx, the majorily of Arics'x fsrmers wurkiny on a xnxll-xrle or Kubxixtene level and have fww financial rexoureHs, limited sesx to infraxtructure ete 2.3.2 Cllmate and Health in Atrica Climate change has widespread effects on human health hy impaeting hoth environmental and social determinants. Humans have understood the Importancc ot climate to human health since ancient times. For instance, a flood can causc drownlngs, a drought can lcad to crop failure and hunger,and temperature extremespose a risk of exposure. AIl cllmateImpacts on health arc mcdiated by some combination of natural and human lynamiex that rauxH inedivicluxlx or populations to be vulnerable to the effects of a variable or ehanginy elimate. Atrica Is commonly descrlbcd as a "climate-vulnerable"continent in which rainfall varishility, hyirlogial extremex,anl anthropogenic climate change have the potential to inflit inifcant harm on a larye opulation 2.3.3 Climateand Water Resources In Africa Water is the most important of all natural rHKurrHN.Without wxter, life would not he ahle to thriveon the Earth. It hax heen aryued that the lwvel uf streams,flow of st reams/ rivers, the volume of underground water and the lke all depcnd on typcs of cllmates and water availability. Therefore, perxix Hrnt elimate chanye may lexl to shrinkaye in the xuríare water supply as well x the yuxntity and reyularity of xlrwamx and rivers, and waler supplies in Africa 2.4 CLIMATECHANGE AND ITS CHALLRNGESTO APRICA'S DEVELOPMENT VISION 33| Page Variability may be due to natural internal processes within the climate system or due to anthropogenic (caused by human) external forcing. Climate variations occur with or without our actions. It is critical to assess precisely which human actions affect climate and those that do not. Climate change is a change in the state of the climate system, identified by changes in the average conditions and the variability of its properties that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer, due to natural or anthropogenic processes and drivers. Climate change in Africa is an increasingly serious threat for Africans as Africa is among the most vulnerable continents to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the vulnerability of Africa to climate change is driven by a range of factors that include, weak adaptive capacity high dependence on ecosystem goods for livelihoods less developed agricultural production systems. The risks/impacts of climate change on Africa population and economy: Reduce agrlcultural production, Recduee foxxl xHeurity, water rwxOurees and Hoxyxtem xHrvicex Dryiny up of soils, inereNKed pesl and edixeaNH, Shiftx in Nuitahle arHMx for yrwiny eropx and livestock, Inereaxex tleKHrtifcation, Munis, cdeforestation, and eroxion These activities wll lllccly have Increaslngly severe conscquences on lives and sustainable development prospects in Africa. The actual and potential impacts ot cllmate change in Afrirx arH large and wideranying, affetiny many Nxpertx of eple'x veryday livHx. Many climate models predict negative impacts ot climate change on agricultural production and food security in large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Therefore, this is one of the greatest environmental, indicates that climate change social and economic The impact of climate change is more serious on the threats facing Africa. world's poorest countries, most of which are found in Africa. Poor people already live on the frontlines of pollution, disaster, and degradation of resources and land. For them, adaptation is a matter of sheer survival. As far as development is concerned, climate change will have a strong impact on Africa's ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)and the Africa 2063 goal and on its development policies in general, with increased pressure on agriculture, water supply and demand, health, and political stability. In general, African hax heen KHriously aflected by climate change due to the following reasons. 34|Page Firstly, the African society is very closcly couplcd with the cllmate system; hundreds ot millions of people depend on rainfall to grow their fonds. Secondly, the African climate system is controlled by an extremely complex mix of large Scale wcather systems. Thirlly, the cdeyrex of Hxpected climate change is large. The two most extensive land-based Hneds of- entury projeted decreases in rainfall anywhere on the planet occur over Africa, particularly In North and South Africa. Finally, the rapacily for adaptation to climate change is low.