Seal the deal! However, what's in it for Africa?

• Author: Barro, Maimouna
• Position: Brief article

The effects of climate change are being felt by millions of people throughout the world, but especially in Africa where endemic poverty, disease, wars, growing populations, limited access to capital have all taken their toll on the people and the rich natural environment of Africa in the past three decades. The situation is disastrous for a continent that has played no role in global warming! In reality, the biggest burdens and threats associated with climate change and global warming affect the most vulnerable of the world, mainly from the poorer developing economies.

At this very moment, climate change is clearly affecting Africa in every way. The continent is feeling the brunt of rising sea levels, droughts, floods, increasing water shortages, and the spread of tropical and vector-borne diseases.

At this very moment, if the consequences of global warming are mere predictions for some parts of the world, they are already being felt in Africa.

At this very moment, floods are affecting thousands of already impoverished people in Senegal and fifteen other West African nations. In the same region, some...