Severe Climate Change to Impact 118 Million People in Africa by 2030, Warns UN Agency
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals that nearly 118 million people in Africa could face severe climate change impacts by 2030 if urgent measures are not implemented, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.
The report, titled “State of the Climate in Africa 2023,” highlights that these individuals, living on less than $1.90 per day, will be vulnerable to drought, floods, and extreme heat.
The WMO emphasizes the necessity for increased investment in climate adaptation and resilience-building initiatives to mitigate these threats. African nations are currently losing 2–5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually due to climate extremes, with some diverting up to 9% of their budgets for response efforts. In sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of adaptation is projected to reach $30–50 billion annually over the next decade.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted that Africa has experienced a warming trend over the past 60 years, outpacing the global average. The year 2023 was confirmed as the warmest on record, marked by deadly heat waves, heavy rains, and prolonged droughts. These climate extremes have resulted in significant loss of life, widespread displacement, and severe economic damage.
As 2024 unfolds, southern Africa continues to grapple with damaging droughts, while East African nations, including Sudan and South Sudan, face catastrophic flooding, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis. The report underscores the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable populations across the continent.
