Can you imagine living in a state of fear, not knowing the quality of life tomorrow holds? In Africa, these people face the day to day struggles of continuously being malnourished, having inadequate healthcare and living in a place where the entire economy is becoming corrupt due to rapid climate change. Medical officials have called climate change the “biggest global health threat of the 21st century,” and Africa is already seeing the impacts; effects of newly rising temperatures and the changing of rainfall patterns being more evident (Peyton). No region in the world has been affected as much as the Sahel, which is experiencing rapid population growth, estimated at 2.8% per year, in an environment of shrinking natural resources, including land and water resources (Un.org). No continent will endure such severe impacts of climate change as Africa does while they have become the most vulnerable and facing the change and consistency of weather patterns. Due to its geographical position, the continent is especially vulnerable since Africa has considerably limited adaptive capabilities and have exacerbated by harsh widespread poverty due to the lack of wealth in these areas. In particular, climate change is a threat to their continuing growth in the economics and livelihood of populations that are vulnerable (unenvironment.org). Also, climate change creates a chain reaction of major issues for the population in Africa as there are newly introduced threats to their economy and medicine which both result in widespread impaired health. Longer periods without any rain and more intense precipitation when rainfall does happen have been observed as the seasonal timing if rainfall has shifted, causing a change in cropping seasons and overall shortening the growing season (Institution, Hoover). This lack of crop growth creates malnourishment nationwide as there is not enough food to support their population. Also, approximately 1.6 million African people have died from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV related illnesses in the year 2015. These diseases can be prevented or treated when having timely access to affordable and appropriate medicines or other health services (un.org). In this case, less than 2% of the drugs consumed in Africa are produced within the continent, meaning most sick patients don’t have the access to the locally produced drugs and/or might not be able to afford the imported ones (un.org). Along with healthcare being out of reach, temperature changes and unprecedented weather also contributes to the health of people in Africa. Due to the rapid climate change, this has become a much larger issue as increased temperatures create a better environment for insects like mosquitoes to produce and carry diseases such as malaria, that if not treated are deadly. The Washington Post states, “as part of the Paris Agreement, countries made national commitments to take steps to reduce emissions and build resilience. The treaty also called for increased financial support from developed countries to assist the climate action efforts of developing countries.” (post) This is a hugely pressing issue that continues to grow today as scientists strive to reach more breakthroughs and ways to help the people in Africa. Over recent years this has created the most apparent detrimental effects in Africa yet is raising awareness globally, and once efforts from more developed countries are offered it will result in a better future for people all around the world.
Work Cited;
Institution, Hoover. “Climate Change and Africa's Future.” "Hoover Institution", Hoover Institution, 14 Jan. 2019, www.hoover.org/research/climate-change-and-africas-future.
Peyton, Nellie. “As Threats Rise, African Scientists Delve into Climate Change Health Impacts.” "Reuters", Reuters, 29 Jan. 2020, www.reuters.com/article/us-africa-climate-change-health/as-threats-rise-african-scientists-delve-into-climate-change-health-impacts-idUSKBN1ZS2FH.
Post, Washington. “Analysis | African Nations Are among Those Most Vulnerable to Climate Change. A New Survey Suggests They Are Also the Least Prepared.” "Washington Post", Washington Post, 23 Sept. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/23/african-nations-are-among-those-most-vulnerable-climate-change-new-survey-suggests-they-are-also-least-prepared/.
Un. “Dying from Lack of Medicines.” "United Nations", United Nations, 13 Dec. 2016, www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2016-march-2017/dying-lack-medicines. .
Un Environment Programme, Unep -. “Responding to Climate Change.” "UNEP - UN Environment Programme", UNEP - UN Environment Programme, 26 Mar. 2020, www.unenvironment.org/regions/africa/regional-initiatives/responding-climate-change.
I really enjoyed your closing segment of the article because it leaves the reader with a feasible solution.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite aspect of this article was the introduction. I liked how you involved the reader from the beginning. By relating to the reader you have set up a foundation for the reader to empathize with what your stating throughout the rest of the article. My main takeaway is that climate change is rapidly increasing and Africa is experiencing its negative impacts now in an extreme way due to it's location close to the equator. Do you know how the impacts generally differ when comparing climate change issues in America vs Africa?
ReplyDeleteI really like the tools you used in your introduction to pull the reader into the article, and give them a desire to keep reading. It seems like climate change is leaving huge effects on health of people across Africa, endangering many lives. How are the governments in Africa taking initiative to this issue, or are they not following the agreements of the Paris Agreement?
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