Water and environmental change
Introducing the topic
Relation between climate change, water and development in Africa
Surface
temperature has increased by 0.5°C in Africa during the last 50 to 100 years (Nigang, I., 2014). This seems to be
harmless. There have been similar developments in temperature throughout history.
We are not in trouble – are we?
The
world is changing every day. It has always changed in the past and it will always
change in the future. As a result, we need to understand the past to know what
lays ahead. The key to a better understanding of the environment is the
reconstruction of past environments which one can use to link current research
to prevailing circumstances. Further, one can conclude: Climate change is neither
a fairy tale nor the unproved assumption of scientists. It reshapes the future
and has huge impacts on certain issues of our environment. Like I said, the
world has changed before, but it has never changed this fast.
Africa – a vulnerable continent
Due
to climate change alteration in freshwater ecosystems have already occurred (source).
Particularly, the African continent is exposed to extreme weathers, droughts
and heat waves, related to climate change. This enhances issues like crop
failure and lag of usable water leading to famine. The worst part is: The
poorest will suffer most. One can see that humans as features of ecosystems are
exposed to ecological changes and thus vulnerable.
Africa
is the most vulnerable continent in the world. Natural hazards affect the livelihood
of the population. Currently prevailing
circumstances are bad, but they will get worse if further hazards occur. In
Sub-Saharan Africa the effects of vulnerable communities and changing
environment combine. Leading to a suspense in development.
Blogging on climate change
There
is no denying, conditions will change. It’s not a question of how, the question
is how fast it will occur.
In
this blog I am going to explain the relations between environmental change and
certain aspects of water and development in Africa. Emphasising issues and
challenges and also trying to find solutions. The effect of climate change on
the hydrological circle related to extreme weather conditions, as well as water
supply, scarcity and irrigation systems affecting the agricultural and
industrial sector.
This
blog concentrates on each aspect of the hydrological circle. Approaching the
surface and groundwater, precipitation, evaporation and transportation and
further the effect on Sub-Saharan Africa.
