Most of us have heard of global warming, but few of us are educated on the fact that many African nations are contributing an unseen portion to it. The impact of climate change in Africa has been profound, striking droughts, floods and bringing more complications to already difficult socio-economic situations acorss the continent. This article looks at the causes of global warming in Africa and its effects, adopting a neutral and objective tone, to bring a more in-depth understanding for readers.
While carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are the biggest factors in global warming around the world, in Africa a trio of sources are part of the puzzle, namely, deforestation and degradation due to poor land management, increased population growth and agricultural and industrial practices. A significant cause of global warming in Africa is the burning of biomass for energy, the most common sources of energy for an estimated 80% of communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Ensuring quicker lives, this burning of biomass has a hefty impact when it comes to climate change.
On the agricultural side, the increasing cultivation of land contributes to global warming in Africa. The sense of security and expanded access to rurual resources leads to widespread deforestation and desertification, pushing more carbon emissions into the system. This conversion of land also decreases albedo — a measure of the reflection of sunlight in a particular area, causing a notable rise in temperatures. Additionally, one can’t ignore the growing methane emissions due to livestock which again increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Industrially, emission coming from burning fossil fuels is on the rise. In many African countries like Nigeria and Congo, unsustainable mining practices lead to the production of pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, that increase the temperatures and eventually accelerate global warming. The black carbon released from this burning of fossil fuels, residues from coal and diesel, is also a major contributor to global warming.
On the human level, the rapidly increasing population in Africa leads to more demands for energy, transportation, and resources, again pushing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and depleting the earth’s natural ability to absorb excess carbon.
Counteracting the negative impact of global warming in Africa is a difficult task. Enhancing the energy efficiency of countries is a necessary step, as is promoting renewable energies sources. Strict implementation of regulations protecting land from deforestation and degradation is also necessary. As for people, educating the population on ways to reduce energy usage and develop sustainable agricultural practices is key.
Looking at global warming and its causes in Africa shows an intricate multiple-faceted picture of the impacts of human activity. One must remember that as we are the cause, we are also the solution. Considering this, it’s vital that we all take steps to reduce our carbon footprint, educate others on the importance of sustainability, and reduce our dependence on the burning of fossil fuels.
