MDG3-ch7.qxd 31/8/05 10:38 am Page 157 157 7 Africa: a crucible for climate change and poverty

Document begins: MDG3-ch7.qxd 31/8/05 10:38 am Page 157 157 7 Africa: a crucible for climate change and poverty Hannah Reid(1) "It is important to understand that Africa and climate change are intrinsically linked, as climate change will affect the welfare of Africans for years to come. The world's wealthiest countries have emitted more than their fair share of greenhouse gases. Resultant floods, droughts and other climate change impacts continue to fall disproportionately on the world's poorest people and countries, many of which are in Africa . [There is also a need to recognize] the strength and creativity of African people in times of stress. What is needed most now is that Africans are supported in their efforts to build on these strengths. Archbishop Desmond Tutu(2) I. AFRICA ­ A SPECIAL CASE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE Global warming is already affecting Africa.(3) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that "the effects of climate change are expected to be greatest in developing countries in terms of loss of life and relative effects on 1. This paper is drawn entirely from the publication, Africa ­ Up in Smoke, which was written and compiled by Andrew Simms and Hannah Reid based on material from ...