Africa’s Climate Emergency – All five sub regions to cross the 1.5 °C threshold by 2040

The rapid loss of polar ice is intensifying climate change and extreme weather events worldwide. New research conducted by the University of Zimbabwe and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), led by Professor Paul Mapfumo, warns that this crisis is pushing all five subregions of Africa past the 1.5°C warming threshold by 2040, even under low-emission scenarios. 

Polar regions serve as Earth’s climate regulators, reflecting solar radiation and maintaining oceanic stability. As ice melts, the warming polar regions disrupt atmospheric and ocean circulation patterns fueling more frequent and intense precipitation, floods, droughts, storms, cyclones and hurricanes worldwide, posing a significant risk to communities in at risk regions. These changes devastate agriculture and food security in the African continent as well. 

With Africa’s economies heavily dependent on agriculture, scientists emphasize the urgency of adopting just transition pathways that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance food security and mitigate climate change. 

Key strategies include regenerative farming and soil restoration (SDG 15: Life on Land), diversifying crops and livestock to enhance food security (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), promoting green industrialization (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and adopting climate-smart technologies (SDG 13: Climate Action). Achieving these goals requires significant investments in research, education (SDG 4: Quality Education), and market access (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth), ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience. 

Feature image: Africa, Uganda. Credit: Nambasi, Pixabay.

Read more about how polar regions affect the African continent here. 

Read more about Food Insecurity by clicking here. 

Learn more about how the polar regions play a bigger role in the success of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by clicking here.