The Negative Impacts of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa and their Mitigation Measures

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its dependence on natural resources, fragile economy, weak infrastructure and the already warm weather. Nowadays, food security and agricultural production in some countries in the region are getting worse because of the negative impacts of climate change and variability. Generally, the effect of climate change is higher in the developing nations, those with low economic capacity and of contributing a little to the greenhouse gas emissions than that of the industrialized countries. However, unless it is the weakness of the policies that the developing countries have, experts have found different climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Therefore, this paper specifically concentrates on the negative impacts of climate change on the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the mitigation and adaptation measures that should be taken into account to manage the risks of the changing climate.  It emphasizes on the importance of effective agricultural management, improving carbon trading and sequestration projects and using renewable energy sources. Furthermore, it also considers the roles of the people and governments of Sub-Saharan countries and the international community in mitigating the changing climate in the region, for Sub-Saharan countries particularly need to work ‘hand in glove’ with the international community to manage the current climate risks and mitigate the future climate.