The climate of our planet is rapidly changing, and this may have serious global consequences. In particular, Africa seems to be the continent more seriously affected by climate change. A group of editors of African Medical journals composed an editorial and we have included some key insights from the editorial below.

“Wealthy nations must step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present, and future impacts of climate change. The 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change paints a dark picture of the future of life on earth, characterized by ecosystem collapse, species extinction, and climate hazards such as heatwaves and floods. These are all linked to physical and mental health problems, with direct and indirect consequences of increased morbidity and mortality. To avoid these catastrophic health effects across all regions of the globe, there is broad agreement— as 231 health journals argued together in 2021 —that the rise in global temperature must be limited to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels.”

“The climate crisis is a product of global inaction and comes at great cost not only to disproportionately impacted African countries but also to the whole world. Africa is united with other front-line regions in urging wealthy nations to finally step up, if for no other reason than that the crises in Africa will sooner rather than later spread and engulf all corners of the globe, by which time it may be too late to effectively respond. If so far wealthy countries have failed to be persuaded by moral arguments, then hopefully their self-interest will now prevail.”1

You can read the full editorial here.

References

  1. Atwoli, L., Erhabor, G. E., Gbakima, A. A., Haileamlak, A., Ntumba, J. M. K., Kigera, J., Laybourn-Langton, L., Mash, B., Muhia, J., Mulaudzi, F. M., Ofori-Adjei, D., Okonofua, F., Rashidian, A., El-Adawy, M., Sidibé, S., Snouber, A., Tumwine, J., Yassien, M. S., Yonga, P., . . . Zielinski, C. (2022). COP27 climate change conference: urgent action needed for Africa and the world. BMJ, o2459. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o2459

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