Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa: Assessing the Rising Threat to Socioeconomic Progress

Abstract— Introduction: Climate has been changing drastically in Africa over the last decades. Global temperatures have increased significantly, and extreme weather events have intensified, dominating the disaster landscape in the 21st century in Africa. Background: Climate change leads to increased water crisis, infectious diseases, bio diversity extinction and loss of human life. This means it is a remarkable threat to achieving sustainable development goals in Africa. Problem statement: Climate change has led to economic losses of over US$70 billion in the region over the past fifty years. It is estimated that by 2050, climate change impacts could cost African nations USD$50 billion yearly. Methodology: This paper sought to find out how mankind can prevent the climate change crisis threatening Africa’s hard-won development gains. The research was qualitative and based primarily on literature review from secondary data sources. Results: The climate crisis is threatening hard won development gains and intensifying cycles of poverty, fragility and vulnerability across the continent. There is need for African countries to take charge of climate change initiatives which will minimize the impacts of climate change. Conclusion: The impact of climate change cannot go unchallenged as African countries continue to lose billions of dollars annually, desertification is rapidly increasing, cropland is drastically declining, emergence and rapid spreading of pests and diseases and the displacement of thousands of people.