Climate Change: A First World Problem?

The Impacts of Climate Change on the African Continent

By Oyinkansola Adeoye

Climategate Scandal

Statistical Trick

Is Climate Change Real?

IPCC “Hockey Stick” GraphSource: http://

www.educationscotland.gov.uk/exploringclimatechange/controversy/hockeystickdebate.asp

Unreliable Temperature Record of Pre-Industrial Era.

Can we trust models to accurately reproduce these climate records?

CO2 was not solely responsible for the past ice ages.

“It’s part of the natural cycle.”

Alarmist theory: Everyone is overreacting!

Is Climate Change Real?

Is Climate Change Real?

YES

Models Documented rise in average global temp.

Documented rise in carbon emissions. According to natural cycle, Earth should be cooling.

Evidence of melting ice glaciers, ice sheets and snow cover.

So…

Climate Change is Real

Natural cycles.

Emissions of harmful greenhouse gases such as CO2.

What are the causes?

Footprint comparison of carbon emissionsSource: http://

urbangreencouncil.org/content/news/graphic-week-co2-emissions-country

Major emitters include China, U.S., India, Japan, Russia & E.U.

Looks like a first world problem…

Source: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/air_co2_emissio

ns.htm

Climate Vulnerability

Source: http://www.skepticalscience.com/carbon-the-huge-overlooked-fossil-fuel-subsidy.html

Sea-level rise

Agricultural productivity

Extreme weather

Water Security

Impacts

Geography of African continentSource: Google Maps

75 to 250 million people are expected to be exposed to water related stress caused by climate change.

Temperature is expected to increase by 1.5°C to 3°C.

By 2080, 5% to 8% increase in arid and semi-arid land.

80% of African population relies on biomass for energy.

According to the IPCC…

The economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities are the consequences of negative climate change.

Implementation of sustainable practices.

Implementation of mitigation and adaptive strategies to ensure survival communities.

Why is this an issue?

Highest CO2 concentrations are reflected in Eastern Brazil, Southern Africa and Northern Australia.

The levels are expected to be due to burning of biomass.

Interestingly…

Avg. CO2 concentrations Source: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/19dec_oco/

John Cook (2015). Global Warming and Climate Change Myths. Retrieved from https://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php

Education Scotland. Exploring Climate Change. The Hockey Stick Debate. Retrieved from http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/exploringclimatechange/controversy/hockeystickdebate.asp

Stanford Kay (2010). Pacific Standard. Tracking Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.psmag.com/nature-and-technology/tracking-climate-change-24435

AMCEN Secretariat. United Nations Environmental Programme. Climate Change in Africa. Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/roa/amcen/docs/AMCEN_Events/climate-change/2ndExtra_15Dec/FACT_SHEET_CC_Africa.pdf

References