With food security at risk worldwide, the unprecedented effects of climate change will result in a 20percent increase in malnourished children in Africa by 2050.
This grim picture emerged at the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (Farnpan) regional food security network in Windhoek, Namibia.
The dialogue is being attended by 200 delegates ranging from policymakers and researchers to farmers seeking to address food security and minimise the effect of climate change.
"The world population is increasing. There will be 50percent more people in 2050 and more food will be needed. Climate change puts additional pressure on this. We have to figure out how we adapt to that," Gerald Nelson, senior research fellow at the US based International Food Policy Research Institution said.
Jonathan Nzuma, who conducts research at Kenya's Nairobi University, said some African countries had started to come up with strategies in response to climate change.
He said Western countries were the biggest polluters and their greenhouse gas emissions increased by 70percent between 1974 and 2004.
The US, Russia and China were the top three polluters.
In the Kyoto protocol, 37 industrialised countries pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5,2percent.
Researchers and experts presented papers on what is being done to minimise the disastrous impact.
"Africa only emits 5percent pollution but the impact will affect the continent and the rest of the world more than the big polluters. We need farm level adaptation strategies to ensure the survival of our children and their children," Nzuma said.
Climate change in Africa results in the shifting of rain patterns, rising sea levels, drought, resurgence of diseases and the reduction of biodiversity.
"At least 14 African countries have developed and submitted National Adaptations Programmes of Action (Napa) to the United Nation's climate change committee. These include Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, the DRC, and Mozambique," Nzuma said.
But he said it was not clear from Napa whether countries were implementing the adaptation strategies specified.
Nzuma said Kenya, for example, experienced a massive drought last year.
The government only came up with adaptation strategies as a reaction to the drought and did not do anything before that.
Climate change to hit Africa
With food security at risk worldwide, the unprecedented effects of climate change will result in a 20percent increase in malnourished children in Africa by 2050.
This grim picture emerged at the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (Farnpan) regional food security network in Windhoek, Namibia.
The dialogue is being attended by 200 delegates ranging from policymakers and researchers to farmers seeking to address food security and minimise the effect of climate change.
"The world population is increasing. There will be 50percent more people in 2050 and more food will be needed. Climate change puts additional pressure on this. We have to figure out how we adapt to that," Gerald Nelson, senior research fellow at the US based International Food Policy Research Institution said.
Jonathan Nzuma, who conducts research at Kenya's Nairobi University, said some African countries had started to come up with strategies in response to climate change.
He said Western countries were the biggest polluters and their greenhouse gas emissions increased by 70percent between 1974 and 2004.
The US, Russia and China were the top three polluters.
In the Kyoto protocol, 37 industrialised countries pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5,2percent.
Researchers and experts presented papers on what is being done to minimise the disastrous impact.
"Africa only emits 5percent pollution but the impact will affect the continent and the rest of the world more than the big polluters. We need farm level adaptation strategies to ensure the survival of our children and their children," Nzuma said.
Climate change in Africa results in the shifting of rain patterns, rising sea levels, drought, resurgence of diseases and the reduction of biodiversity.
"At least 14 African countries have developed and submitted National Adaptations Programmes of Action (Napa) to the United Nation's climate change committee. These include Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, the DRC, and Mozambique," Nzuma said.
But he said it was not clear from Napa whether countries were implementing the adaptation strategies specified.
Nzuma said Kenya, for example, experienced a massive drought last year.
The government only came up with adaptation strategies as a reaction to the drought and did not do anything before that.
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