Search

Climate change, one of the major challenges of our time, requires international responses. This paper focuses on understanding what shapes climate change literacy in Africa, i.e. the understanding and knowledge about all the elements of climate change: its causes, its consequences and its solutions. The methodology is based on the seventh round of the Afrobarometer surveys, which for the first time included questions about climate change. The results show in particular the central role of direct experience of the connected understanding between the different aspects of literacy and the complexity of the impact of identity and trust in institutions. All these elements should be key to motivate governments in responding to climate change challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the relationship between climate change and urban development in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and discusses potential adaptation policies for moderating the consequences of climatic changes on urban development in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1990 carbon dioxide emissions in Africa have increased by about 50%. The total carbon dioxide emissions of the entire African continent are not, however, anywhere near those of countries such as India or China. Yet certain African countries have per capita emissions comparable to some European countries. What is the outlook for Africa? How should African countries respond as it becomes increasingly likely that climate change is occurring? Increased industrial growth and more foreign investment in Africa, especially in countries that are politically and economically stable, have led to huge commercial developments such as the In Salah gas project in Algeria, which releases more than a million tons of carbon dioxide annually; and synthetic fuel plants and power stations in South Africa that generate more than 350 million tons per year. In this perspective should some African countries be required to limit greenhouse gas emissions or should they be immune to 'environmental taxation'? This paper critically reviews the carbon dioxide problem in some parts of Africa and its role in climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]