African countries are losing nearly five per cent of their GDP, with many reallocating over eight per cent of their budgets to address climate related disasters.
The World Meteorological Organization’s State of Climate report, which highlights this, further reveals that more than 118 million people in Africa will face droughts, floods, and extreme heat by 2030.
For a continent already grappling with significant challenges such as underdeveloped infrastructure, food security, and conflicts, these climate change-induced disasters worsen the situation further.
If urgent action is not taken, weather events will devastate biodiversity and natural habitats. Clean and safe water will become scarcer for both rural and urban populations.
Migration will increase, resulting in more people in refugee camps and urban centres. There will be a rapid rise in youth unemployment, and crime rates will escalate.
Government economies will weaken to a level that cannot support essential needs. What, then, must be done? The climate situation is a collective global responsibility, and various states must act to ensure that effective measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation are implemented.
Without this necessary global effort, and if there is an imbalance among all players, climate progress will regress.
This would also mean that national and regional efforts will achieve little. Therefore, collaborative efforts from all stakeholders in climate action are essential. For Africa, the ray of hope against this gloomy future lies in its youthful population.
According to the African Union, over 400 million people are under 30, which presents immediate innovation and sustainable development opportunities. With the rise of a knowledgeable, curious, and visionary generation, we can finally say the future looks more promising than ever before.
Without a doaubt, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. Armed with knowledge, confidence, and a strong desire to be problem solvers in their communities, they actively advocate better policies, educate the masses, and champion climate action in their spheres.
While we have made meaningful strides recently, there’s still an opportunity for young people to leverage innovative ideas to tackle this global issue. There must be a deliberate integration of youth into global discussions and agendas.
They must be involved as key drivers of climate change, starting with the Paris Agreement of 2015, which was signed by nearly 200 states worldwide. With young people spread across the globe at the forefront and leading the way, their fresh ideas, bold initiatives, and unwavering commitment could drive significant and lasting change for a better world.
Africa’s climate crisis is more urgent than ever. Everyone must take action to support innovative strategies for addressing its impacts.
The question that must be answered is, “How can a mother, child, or man living in the most affected areas survive this looming destruction caused by climate change?” The answer lies in harnessing the potential of new technologies and innovations led by young people.
