Climate Change in Africa
Camilla Toulmin
Zed Books
About the Book
Global warming above the level of two degrees Celsius would be enormously damaging for poorer parts of the world, leading to crises with crops, livestock, water supplies and coastal areas. Within Africa, it's likely to be the continent's poorest people who are hit hardest. In this accessible and authoritative introduction to an often-overlooked aspect of the environment, Camilla Toulmin uses case studies to look at issues ranging from natural disasters to biofuels, and from conflict to the oil industry. Finally, the book addresses what future there might be for Africa in a carbon-constrained world.
What People Have Said About the Book
“Climate Change in Africa” is an authoritative, accurate and insightful analysis of what the global challenge of climate change means for the continent. An essential guide to the mind-boggling climate-related issues considered from an African perspective." - Youba Sokona, Secrétaire Exécutif, Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS)
'Camilla Toulmin combines a deep and nuanced knowledge of African society with a profound grasp of the impact of climate change on that continent. Covering both threats and opportunities, she shows how, for good or ill, climate change will be a new and critical driver in the next phase of African development. In the run up to the Copenhagen climate summit, this book should be required reading for anyone wishing to get to grips with the multiple interconnections between climate change and development in the world's poorest continent.' - Duncan Green, Head of Research, Oxfam
"Speaking about global warming, who really thinks of Africa? Read Toulmin's book to fully grasp the double injustice of our time: Africa, though without any responsibility for climate change, will dramatically suffer; and yet, the innocent victim is not given much voice at the ongoing climate negotiations."- Wolfgang Sachs, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, "author of "Fair Future. Resource Conflicts, Security, and Global Justice" (pick one byline)
"Climate change is already having profound effects in Africa, from the devastating floods of 2007 to wars which are already breaking out over land and water, as people start to move. And this is on the basis of world temperature changes which are small relative to those we risk if we carry on for much longer as we are. Of all the continents , Africa is least responible for these changes. Camilla Toulmin with her long experience of working in rural Africa, her scholarship and her leadership of the IIED, is especially qualified to analyse and explain the issues and to point to the policies which the world must follow. This is a very clear, reasoned and thoughtful book which will be of great importance in the crucial discussions which lie ahead" - Lord Nicholas Stern
Contents
- Introduction
- Africa and the Global Climate System
- Water
- Food
- Forests
- Cities
- Conflict
- Africa's Prospects in a Carbon-Constrained World
Notes
Index
About the Author
Camilla Toulmin is Director of the International Institute for Environment & Development. An economist by training, she has worked mainly in Africa on social, economic, and environmental development. This has combined field research, policy analysis, capacity building and advocacy. Her work has aimed to understand how societies evolve to cope with changed circumstances, and to demonstrate the links between global and local levels.
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