Unesco addressing climate change in Africa

23 May 2012

Mr. Richard Muyungi, Vice President’s Office UNFCCC SBSTA Chair

United Republic of Tanzania

Addressing Climate Change in Africa

The Need for Increased Collaboration and an Enhanced Role of Education, Science and TechnologyPaper Presented at the UNESCO Africa Week, Paris.

23 May, 2012

23 May 2012 Mr. Richard Muyungi

Outline

Introduction Climate change science Education on climate change Technology Increased collaboration Conclusions

Introduction: Africa; A promising continent

Africa has the source of many drivers of economic growth: Abundant natural resources, a large land mass, and a growing youthful population which means an increase in labor force and consumption market.

Thus, World Bank forecast: growth rate of GDP of sub-Saharan Africa to be 5.3 percent for 2012 and 5.6 percent for 2013, higher than the 4.9 percent for 2011. The IMF put its estimated growth rate for the region at 5.5 percent for 2012.

IMF Report: In the last decade, six out of 10 fastest growing economies were from Africa; the number is expected to rise to 7 in the three years to 201523 May 2012 d Muyungi

However, a continent faced with Real Climate Change Challenges

Particularly Extreme weather events and sea level rise.

Call for increased collaboration amongst nations and states and enhanced role of education, science and technology development and sharing to be able to adapt but also to take up opportunity arising from global mitigation under UNFCCC



Introduction

African countries are among the most vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change

Least to tap on opportunities arising from Climate Change mitigation


Climate Change Science: Emission are seriously impacting the continent

1. Water

2. Agriculture

3. Ecosystems

4. Health

Source: IPCC


On Water

Climate change will aggravate water stress across the African continent

About 25% of Africa’s population (about 200 million people) currently experience high water stress.


On Agriculture

Agricultural production and food security are likely to be severely compromised by climate change and climate variability

Projected reductions in yield in some countries could be as much as 50% by 2020, and crop net revenues could fall by as much as 90% by 2100.


On Culture and Ecosystems

Changes in a variety of ecosystems are already being detected, particularly in southern African ecosystems, at a faster rate than anticipated

It is estimated that, by the 2080s, the proportion of arid and semi-arid lands in Africa is likely to increase by 5-8% and between 25 and 40% of mammal species in national parks in sub-Saharan Africa will become endangered.


On Health and Education

Human health, already compromised by a range of factors, could be further negatively impacted by climate change and climate variability, e.g., malaria in southern Africa and the East African highlands. Highly impacting education

Some Efforts: Understanding our vulnerability. Tanzania case study

Average temp. 1985 - 1994

12

At least there has been an average increase of about 0.2 degrees Celsius over the last 30years

Average temp. 1995 - 2004

13


Some Efforts: Education on Climate Change

Climate change issues are increasingly included in primary, secondary and higher education across Africa

Informal education by non-governmental and community-based organizations plays an important role


Education on Climate Change

Importance of teaching science, social aspects, culture, ethics and skills that prepare to adapt to climate change

Promote behavioural change in support of a sustainable economic development, including embarking on a low-carbon development path


Example: Climate Change Education in Tanzania

Efforts to formalize and incorporate climate change in the national curricula at all educational levels, consistent with EMA, 2005

Trainings and educational tools for teachers

Informal education through non-governmental and community-based organizations


Technology needs in Africa

Renewable energy technologies

Forestry Waste and water

management Agriculture,

improved productivity


Technology needs identified by African countries

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Source: UNFCCC

Examples of the education, training and awareness-raising collaborative actions reported by Nairobi work

programme partner organizations in Africa

A. Enhancing the assessment and understandingof impacts and vulnerability to climate change

A.2 Promoting the understanding and awarenessof impacts and vulnerability to climate change

Unlocking Africa’s climate science: Understandingthe findings of the Fourth Assessment Report of theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IP CC AR4)

Sahara and Sahel Observatory (Observatoire du Saharaet du Sahel) (OSS )

B. Improving the ability to make informed decisionson adaptation planning, measures and actions

B.1 Promoting the development, disseminationand application of methods and tools

African regional ‘training of trainers’ course on ecosystema ndcommunity-based adaptation

Wetlands International

B.2 Facilitating communication, dialogue andcooperation among different stakeholders

Raising awareness in Africa through a regional policy briefentitled Making African Forests Fit for Climate Change

International Union of Forest Research Organizations(IU FRO )

B.3 Enhancing adaptive capacity throughtechnical and institutional capacity-building

African Climate Change Fellowship Program.

START Currently, 45 fellows from 18 Africancountries are working on various projects supportedby the fellowship programme



Conclusion: Increased collaboration in Science and Technology

Through Climate Technology Centers and Networks provides unique opportunity for Africa

Cooperation with climate service providers and systematic observation systems for better early warning.


Conclusions: Enhanced Education and technology development and transfer

Ensure inclusion of climate change issues in curricula at all educational levels and support informal education activities by non-governmental and community-based organizations

Cooperation in Technological areas with adaptation and mitigation benefits e.g clean coal production and use; renewable, improving productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Promoting transfer of technology to enable adaptation and Nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) with co benefits

Collaborate with regional bodies, civil society and the private sector

Education ant technology be linked to early warning and systematic observation.

More important: Enhance existing collaboration on the role of Education,

Science and Technology in Africa amidst the changing climate

UNESCO

UNFCCC AFRICA

UNESCO developed a grassroots observatory of climate change impacts using indigenous Knowledge.

The assessment process for many NAPAs in Africa was based on local knowledge and traditional coping strategies as well as scientific assessment and research to identify priority adaptation projects.

This will remain important in the preparation of NAPs of African Countries23 May 2012 Mr. Richard Muyungi

Thank you for your attention!

23 May 2012Mr. Richard Muyungi

Unesco addressing climate change in Africa

Education

Transcript of Unesco addressing climate change in Africa