The Fallout of Global Warming

The air is abnormally hot. The land is dry and cracked, just like your throat. Even if you wanted water or food, you wouldn’t be able to find any. Sometimes there’s thunderstorms, but when there is, there is usually a consequence that comes with it. This is what daily life is like for millions of people all across Africa.

Countries all across the globe contribute to global warming, including Africa, and everyone can feel the effects. Except, Africa only contributed 4% out of the world’s total to the entirety of global warming, yet they are the most vulnerable and unprepared to face climate change (Edem). As the issue of climate change becomes bigger and bigger, it is talking tolls on Africa’s environment, which sequentially affects the people of Africa.

Due to global warming, weather has been bad for growing crops, making Africa’s agricultural production worsen significantly (Edem). The IPCC reports that regions with large impoverished populations would face the brunt of the impact, which means that Africa is susceptible to floods, droughts, and other extreme weather (Africa). According to the IPCC reports, Africa has been warmed up by around 0.7 ℃ during the twentieth century (Africa). Currently, Africa has been stuck in a drought, leading to severe consequences regarding food security. More than 45 million people across Africa are starving, and many people are now relying on food aid in order to survive (McKenzie).

Not only has climate change caused millions of people to go hungry, it has also led to frequent occurrences of thunder and lightning in Africa (Lawal). Studies show that when temperature increases, thunderstorms become more frequent and more severe. The increase in thunder and lightning leads to economic damage and an increase in the number of fatalities. In Uganda, a strike of lightning hit a school, killing 20 children and injuring around 100 (Lawal). Africa is also more vulnerable to these natural disasters because they rely on agriculture for their economy. These farmers work in the open, making them a bigger target for storms and other natural disasters.

Starvation and bad weather aren’t the only consequences of climate change, and Africa is doing their best to battle against it. Thousands of organizations, individuals, and activists are meeting with leaders around the world in order to help fight against global warming. So far, most African countries have signed the 2016 Paris climate accord, more than 3,000 African businesses, leaders, and representatives have fathered for Africa Climate Week 2019, and more (Edem). By raising awareness, Africa hopes to fight the consequences of climate change and take measures to prevent their situation from getting worse.









Works Cited:


"Africa: Climate Change." Gale Global Issues Online Collection, Gale, 2019. Gale In Context:

Global Issues, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CP3208520147/GIC?u=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=13f423f6. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.

Edem, Selormey E., and Logan Carolyn. “African Nations Are among Those Most Vulnerable to

Climate Change. A New Survey Suggests They Are Also the Least Prepared.” The Washington Post, 23 Sept. 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/23/african-nations-are-among-those-most-vulnerable-climate-change-new-survey-suggests-they-are-also-least-prepared/.

“Environmental Sustainability.” Human Development Indicators, United Nations Development

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“Human Development Index, 2017.” The Human Development Index around the World, Our

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Lawal, Shola. “Africa, a Thunder and Lightning Hot Spot, May See Even More Storms.” The

New York Times, 10 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/climate/lightning-africa-climate-change.html.

McKenzie, David, and Brent Swails. “'If the Climate Stays like This, We Won't Make It' Say



Those on the Frontline of Africa’s Drought.” CNN, 14 Dec. 2019, www.cnn.com/2019/12/14/africa/climate-change-southern-africa-intl/index.html.

Rooster Alarm Clock

In Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, the rooster alarm clock housed by Luo and the narrator is a symbol of power, hope, and rebellion. The rooster inside of the clock symbolizes the Sun God, when they turn the hands of the clock, it represents them having almost the same amount of power as a God, with even the headman of their village coveting this tiny clock. The author states, "Everyone came to consult the clock, as though our house on stilts were a temple" (14). From this, we can infer that this tiny, intimate object is the only symbol of power and control over their own life that the boys have.
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