Highlight on the “Future Risks and Opportunities for Adaptation in Africa” from the Summary of the IPCC AR5 WGII for the Policymaker

Abstract

In recent decades, changes in climate that impact on natural and human systems are increasingly affecting Africa. Evidence of climate-change impacts is strong and more comprehensive mainly in the development sectors of the continent such as water, agriculture and health. Some of the key risks factors of these sectors are: The main risk factor in the water sector is the multiple stresses on water resources that are currently facing significant strain from over-exploitation, degradation and the increased demand in the future. The risk confidence is higher under the context of drought stress especially in the dry prone regions of Africa; There is currently a risk of reduction in the crop productivity associated with heat and drought stress, with strong adverse effects on regional, national, and livelihood and food security. The confidence is increasingly high given the increased pest and disease damage and flood impacts on food system infrastructure; The risk factors in the health sector mainly originated from the changes in the incidence and geographic range of vector and water-borne diseases due to the changes in the mean and variability of temperature and precipitation, particularly along the edges of their distribution.