Introduction

For several decades now, there has been a general alert on climate-related issues, pointing to climate change at the global level with effects on the daily lives of humans (unbearable heat, seasonal disruptions that have a direct impact on agriculture, etc.). This warning was at the same time a call to strengthen local and national practices and policies to mitigate the aforementioned effects! 

Is Africa a special case when it comes to climate change?

For a time, Africa seemed to be a special case when it came to climate issues because many Africans thought that the fact that Africa was not one of the major polluters would spare it from the effects of climate change. This view is scientifically erroneous, in that the earth is a single entity divided into separate compartments called continents, and polluting countries and those that do not pollute would all suffer the effects of climate change, even if perhaps not to the same degree! This has led to countries needing to take the issue of climate change seriously. 

Finally, a forced awareness?

For some time now in Africa, people have become aware of the reality of the situation! Africa has also begun to suffer the visible effects of climate change, including desertification, which is on the increase, drought in the Nile and climatic disturbances (in fact, in March 2024, Africa experienced unusual and unbearable heat, which was one of the triggers that raised collective awareness of climate change).

Conclusion 

It is high time that African decision-makers (political, economic, religious, etc.) took the issue of climate change with all the seriousness and urgency it deserves, otherwise, the consequences could be disastrous because they are unprepared! Programmes and mechanisms for reforestation, forest protection, clean cooking, renewable energies, etc. should be put in place so that Africa too can be prepared for the eventuality!