Vital GEO Graphics

world diamonds, 55 per cent of its gold and at least 25 per cent of chromites (UNEP 2006a). Many minerals have yet to be exploited. Land pressures Africa’s land is under pressure from increased resource demand due to a growing population, natural disasters, climate change and extreme weather events such as drought and floods, and the inappropriate use of technology and chemicals. Drought can exacerbate land degradation in the drylands (see Chapter 3 and Box 6.3). Land is also degraded through poorly planned and managed activities related to agriculture, forestry and industry, as well as from the impacts of urban slums and infrastructure development (see Chapter 3). Atmospheric concentrations of CO over the last 10 000 years Source: IPCC 2007 CO 2 ppm 250 350 300 350 300 10 000 400 400 Note: Measurements of CO 2 are shown from ice cores (symbols with different colours for different studies) and atmospheric samples (red lines). 2 The concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere has now reached an unprecedented 380 parts per 1800

million (ppm), compared with 280 ppm in pre- industrial times.

Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate variability and change because of multiple stresses and low adaptive capacity, according to some new studies (see Figure 6.7). Some adaptation to current climate variability is taking place, however, this may be insufficient for future changes in climate (Boko and others 2007). With a growing population, Africa faces declining per capita access to arable land (Figure 6.8) even as the region struggles to increase food production per unit area. Per capita agricultural production declined by 0.4 per cent between 2000 and 2004 (AfDB 2006b). Land degradation exacerbates poor food production, increasing food insecurity. Time (before 2005) 2000 1900 5 000 Year

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Figure 6.7 Examples of current and possible future impacts and vulnerabilities associated with climate variability and change in Africa

Northern Africa

Eastern Africa

® Climate change could decrease mixed rain-fed and semi-arid systems, particularly the length of the growing period, such as on the margins of the Sahel. ® Increased water stress and possible

Agricultural changes (such as millet, maize)

® Rainfall is likely to increase in some parts of Eastern Africa, according to some projections. ® Previously malaria-free highland areas in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi could experience modest changes to stable malaria by the 2050s, with conditions for transmission becoming highly suitable by the 2080s. ® Ecosystem impacts, including impacts on mountain biodiversity, could occur. Declines in fisheries in some major Eastern African lakes could occur.

Changes in ecosystem range and species location Changes in water availability coupled to climate change Possible changes in rainfall and storms

run-off decreases in parts of Northern Africa by 2050.

Desert dune shifts

Sea-level rise and possible flooding in megacities Changes in health possibly linked to climate change

Western and Central Africa

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® Impacts on crops, under a range of scenarios. ® Possible agricultural GDP losses ranging from 2 to 4 per cent with some model estimations. ® Populations of Western Africa living in coastal settlements could be affected by projected rise in sea levels and flooding. ® Changes in coastal environments (such as mangroves and coastal degradation) could have negative impacts on fisheries and tourism.

Note: These are indications of possible change and are based on models that currently have recognized limitations.

® Possible heightened water stress in some river basins. ® Southward expansion of the transmission zone of malaria may likely occur. ® By 2099, dune fields may become highly dynamic, from northern South Africa to Angola and Zambia. ® Food security is likely to be further aggravated by climate variability and change. Southern Africa

Source: Adapted from Boko and others 2007

13 CL IMAT E CHANGE 207 SUS TA I N I NG A OMMON F U T U R E