Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2009-10 annual report

Coastal West Africa, from Mauritania to Guinea, benefits from a marine upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water which makes it one of the world’s most productive fishing zones. The fisheries sector is therefore extremely important to both national and local economies and to the food security of local people. But fish stocks are threatened by destructive fishing practices, ecosystem decline and competition within the sector. This crucial resource faces further uncertainties because of climate change

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2010-11 annual report

Focusing on a section of coastline from Gamasa to Ras El Bar, the research team is assessing social and economic vulnerabilities, building on spatial mapping of the likely physical impacts of sea level rise. The aim is to develop adaptation strategies and inform coastal land-use policy guidelines to reduce vulnerability and optimize trade-offs among stakeholders. Development pressures complicate the picture. Population growth upstream from the Delta means little Nile water now reaches the area and what does arrive is highly polluted. The result is declining soil fertility and a huge increase in fertilizer use as farmers struggle to maintain soil productivity

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2010-11 annual report

It is widely recognized that climate change will have major impacts on human health, by increasing weather-related disasters and changing the distribution of water- and vector-borne diseases. But our attempts to adapt to the effects of climate change may themselves pose unforeseen health risks

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2010-11 annual report

The Greater Horn of Africa, in the continent’s east, depends on rain-fed agriculture and is highly vulnerable to drought. Even with normal rainfall, the region does not produce enough food to meet its needs. Devastating droughts occurred in 1973–74, 1984–85, 1987, 1992–94, 1999–2000, and 2005–06. The failure of the rains in 2009 led to massive food shortages in East Africa and destroyed 40% of Kenya’s maize harvest. Failure of the rains in late 2010 and in 2011 has precipitated a humanitarian crisis once again

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2010-11 annual report

85% of farmers surveyed in Kenya’s Mwingi county area said they would be willing to pay for localized climate information and farming advice. They learned its value by participating in research led by Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture. This report shows a financial summary of activities

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) final report

As much as climate change variability and other physical processes, it is very often poverty – in terms of lack of resources or choices – that creates vulnerability. For example, reduced rainfall doesn’t have to be disastrous for farming communities if they have knowledge and resources to adapt their livelihood strategies. The report reflects different expressions and styles of the multi-disciplinary team members, providing a narrative through which to understand the rich tapestry of CCAA work over the past six years. CCAA recognizes both social and technical aspects of adaptation. Its research provides a vivid account of how biophysical and social factors intersect

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2009-10 annual report

The resilience of farming systems to climate change and variability depends upon healthy soil. Millions of African farmers lack the money, technologies, livestock and time to maintain their soils as well as they would like. Infertile soils give poor yields which in turn deepen poverty

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2010-11 annual report

The Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) program aims to improve the capacity of African countries to adapt to climate change in ways that benefit the most vulnerable

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2010-11 annual report

According to United Nations figures, 40% of Africa’s one billion people currently live in urban areas; 60% of this group live in slums without adequate water supply and sanitation. Urbanization in Africa is occurring at such a rapid pace that planning for services lags far behind. As a result, African cities are densely populated and plagued by high rates of poverty, weak infrastructure, and poor access to clean water and sanitation services. The effects of climate change will compound these challenges

Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program : 2009-10 annual report

As a research and capacity building program aimed at strengthening Africa’s adaptation to climate change, CCAA gives priority to research that is relevant to policy. Through participatory action research, our projects link African scientists with policymakers, and generate knowledge useful for policy development