Improving Livelihoods in Semi-arid Regions of Africa Through Reduced Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Promotion of Climate Resilience

Abstract

Climate change is expected to be one of the major threats to sustained economic growth leading to extended poverty in semi-arid regions of sub Saharan Africa (SSA). The areas of highest vulnerability are the health sector, food production, biodiversity, water resources, and rangelands. Climate change will likely create increasingly high temperatures and dry conditions across much of the globe in the next 30 years, especially along large parts of Eurasia, Africa and Australia. Many of the world’s most densely populated regions will be threatened with severe drought conditions. It will likely have a profound and negative impact on livelihoods of many rural and urban communities, which could lead to changes in land use. It is estimated that the Eastern regions of Africa will experience reduced average rainfall (although some areas may experience increased average rainfall) exposing agriculture to drought stress and a rise in temperature. The situation will be worsened by the interaction of multiple stresses factors occurring at various levels, which will negatively impact agricultural productivity.