Water and environmental change

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.