The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a concerning 2024 climate report, emphasizing that Africa is facing severe environmental and economic challenges due to climate change. In 2023, the continent recorded extreme heat, with temperatures 0.61°C above the 30-year average and record highs in several countries, including Mali and Morocco. Africa is warming faster than the global rate, with annual extremes becoming more frequent.
Rising sea levels are also impacting African coastlines, averaging 3.4 millimeters per year. The ensuing climate disasters have devastating effects: floods in Libya from Cyclone Daniel killed at least 700 people, while prolonged droughts have drastically reduced agricultural yields across North Africa. In Niger, Ghana, and Benin, water shortages have almost collapsed agricultural production.
These climate-related events have resulted in thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and tremendous financial strain, erasing 2-5% of Africa’s GDP annually. The WMO warns that, without immediate action, 118 million people could face dire conditions by 2030 due to heat, drought, and floods.
To combat these challenges, the WMO stresses the importance of developing meteorological services and early warning systems, as well as investing in sustainable development to withstand future climate extremes.
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