Climate change and human security in Africa

Abstract

Climate change poses a major threat to human security and poverty in Africa. In Africa, where livelihoods are mainly based on climate-dependent resources and environment, the effect of climate change will be disproportionate and severe. Moreover, Africa's capacity to adapt to and cope with the adverse effects of climate variability is generally weak. This article discusses how climate change affects human security in Africa. It also assesses the policy options available to policymakers in terms of mitigation and adaptation to climate change to reduce vulnerability and human insecurity in Africa.

Keywords:

• climate change
• human security
• Africa
• institutional analysis and development (IAD)

Notes

The views expressed here are the authors' own and not necessarily those of the United Nations Centre for Regional Development.

Source: Magezi (2009).