The relationship between climate change and famine in Africa
AUG 08, 2011
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.025495
Guardian : It is impossible to know for certain whether climate change is to blame for the famine in the Horn of Africa, but several disturbing observations have been made. Borana communities in Ethiopia report that droughts now occur every one to two years, whereas they used to be recorded every six to eight years. In addition, mean annual temperatures increased between 1960 and 2006 by 1 °C in Kenya and 1.3 °C in Ethiopia, and the frequency of hot days is increasing in both countries. That combination can pose problems for food production. However, as the Guardian points out, drought is caused by lack of rainfall, whereas famine is manmade. Rich and emerging economies therefore must not only strive to cut greenhouse gas emissions but also help east Africa and other vulnerable regions adapt to any resulting climate change.
© 2011 American Institute of Physics
