Climate change brings opportunity alongside challenges for Africa

In a week’s time, the world’s biggest annual summit on climate change begins in the South African city of Durban. As officials from around the world gather there, the global gaze is turning to Africa and how the continent is coming to terms with a changing climate.

What is clear already is that changing weather and rainfall patterns are having a major impact. The devastating drought that hit the Horn of Africa earlier this year affected 11 countries and 12 million people. In stark contrast, the Niger River rose to its highest levels in 80 years last year, making 1 million people homeless in the West of Africa. Meanwhile, Lake Chad – source of water for 30 million people in Chad, Niger and Nigeria – is drying up as rainfall patterns change across the continent leading to migration and conflict.

See Video page.