EED2601
Assignment 3
Due 02 September 2025
, 1. Introduction
Climate change is widely recognised as one of the greatest environmental and
developmental challenges of the 21st century. It refers to sustained changes in global
temperature, rainfall, and weather systems that occur over long periods. These shifts
are primarily linked to human activities such as the large-scale burning of fossil fuels,
deforestation, rapid industrialisation, and unsustainable consumption patterns.
Although climate change is a global issue, its impacts are not evenly distributed.
Developing regions such as Africa bear a heavier burden because of limited resources,
weaker infrastructure, and heavy dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as
agriculture and water. This makes adaptation difficult, leaving millions of people
vulnerable.
This assignment explores five major negative effects of climate change in Africa and
discusses how they influence both the natural environment and human well-being. It
also examines the importance of environmental education in raising awareness,
changing behaviours, and preparing communities to cope with future challenges.
2. Understanding Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2023) highlights clear
scientific evidence that climate change is already underway, as seen in rising average
global temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, melting glaciers, sea-level rise, and more
frequent extreme weather events.
Africa, despite contributing less than 4% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, is
disproportionately vulnerable to climate-related shocks. Several factors contribute to this
vulnerability:
Widespread poverty limits the resources available for adaptation.
Heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes food production highly sensitive to
changes in rainfall and temperature.
Assignment 3
Due 02 September 2025
, 1. Introduction
Climate change is widely recognised as one of the greatest environmental and
developmental challenges of the 21st century. It refers to sustained changes in global
temperature, rainfall, and weather systems that occur over long periods. These shifts
are primarily linked to human activities such as the large-scale burning of fossil fuels,
deforestation, rapid industrialisation, and unsustainable consumption patterns.
Although climate change is a global issue, its impacts are not evenly distributed.
Developing regions such as Africa bear a heavier burden because of limited resources,
weaker infrastructure, and heavy dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as
agriculture and water. This makes adaptation difficult, leaving millions of people
vulnerable.
This assignment explores five major negative effects of climate change in Africa and
discusses how they influence both the natural environment and human well-being. It
also examines the importance of environmental education in raising awareness,
changing behaviours, and preparing communities to cope with future challenges.
2. Understanding Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2023) highlights clear
scientific evidence that climate change is already underway, as seen in rising average
global temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, melting glaciers, sea-level rise, and more
frequent extreme weather events.
Africa, despite contributing less than 4% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, is
disproportionately vulnerable to climate-related shocks. Several factors contribute to this
vulnerability:
Widespread poverty limits the resources available for adaptation.
Heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes food production highly sensitive to
changes in rainfall and temperature.
