The climate crisis is no longer just about rising sea levels and melting glaciers;
it encompasses widespread health impacts and development setbacks, particularly seen through the lens of Africa’s struggles.
A recent spotlight has been cast on these challenges as various experts convened at events like the COP29 and drew on reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) to underline the urgent need for action.
With COP29 set to occur from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change (ACCRCC) organized discussions aimed at addressing the serious interplay between climate change and mental health. Dr. Rosalid Nkirote, Executive Advisor at ACCRCC, pointed out how communities across Africa are disproportionately affected by climate disasters such as floods and droughts,
giving rise to anxiety and post-traumatic stress—a reality often overlooked. “This forum was organised to escalate the dire need of integrating mental health within climate response strategies across Africa and the wider global community,” Dr. Nkirote emphasized.
Climate change has become the leading cause behind numerous health issues and development challenges. The WHO’s recent report, released just before COP29, warns of health dangers stemming from climate change, emphasizing its direct threat to humanity. Africa, with its unique geographic and socio-economic circumstances, finds itself at the forefront of these threats, facing rising cases of infectious diseases, food insecurity, and extreme weather impacts.
According to the latest WHO findings, climate change heightens health risks particularly for vulnerable populations. The report states, "The consequences of climate change are catastrophic for Africa’s most vulnerable populations." This is alarming considering many African nations collectively contribute less than 4% to global greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights the stark reality of the rich world’s climate impact far outweighing the contributions of poorer nations.
Dr. Lydia Gachahi, who addressed funding shortfalls at the ACCRCC forum, asserted, “We need to create centralized funding portals to alleviate these challenges, ensuring grassroots communities can easily access resources.” The necessity for structured funding pathways surfaced repeatedly at the event, with emphasis on how unpredictable climate-related crises strain already low healthcare budgets and hinder future investments.
With calls for equity at the forefront, David Luganda, a climate journalist from Uganda, showcased regional models where collaborative efforts are key to promoting climate resilience. Uganda’s proactive stance within the Horn of Africa serves as inspiration for fostering community-driven resilience strategies. “Regional training is pivotal,” Luganda remarked, citing initiatives like the Carter Summer School as effective platforms for balancing climate education with action.
Addressing the WHO report's significance, especially for regions like Nigeria, another alarming reality emerged—Nigeria’s health sector is poised for severe strain due to the impending climate crisis. During the 2024 Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review, the nation unveiled its first-ever Climate Health Vulnerability Assessment Report, which indicated alarming projections. The findings revealed disease burdens could escalate to 21% under increased climate risks, exacerbated by Nigeria's already strained healthcare capabilities.
Dr. Abosede Oladapo, healthcare expert and contributing researcher, commented on the sobering data, stating, “Under all scenarios and efforts, climate change impacts are only expected to worsen, which would compound our existing healthcare challenges.” More than just immediate health consequences, these projections underline long-term societal and economic impacts for communities unprepared to handle overwhelming climate stressors.
Climate change poses numerous interlinked challenges, prominently affecting children and women, who often bear the brunt of climate crises. It disrupts educational opportunities and reinforces cycles of poverty and disempowerment. Ruth from Malawi, victim of cyclical cyclones displacing her family, articulated this struggle poignantly: “We are displaced most of the time because we are from poor homes; when our houses fall or are washed away by floods, we seek refuge.” This gives rise to long-term mental health issues; it also hampers educational attainment and future opportunities for the youth.
To explore solutions, the ACCRCC suggests integrating children’s voices and perspectives as we address climate strategies, emphasizing education as key to empowering the next generation, particularly girls. The ChildFund Alliance endorses this perspective, advocating for inclusive participation of children, stressing the need for innovative climate education initiatives to build resilience.
Compounding the situation are dismal climate finance statistics, as shown by the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), which reported less than 2.4% of key multilateral funds prioritize child-centric initiatives. This gap highlights the need for burgeoning climate-focused investments directed at improving health and educational outcomes for vulnerable children.
During COP29, there will be pressing conversations around the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, with advocates urging for at least $1.3 trillion per year over the next five years to target transitioning vulnerable communities. Without this necessary level of support, marginalized populations will continue facing the brunt of climate-induced disasters, especially children prone to violence and deprived of educational opportunities.
Advocacy around child-responsive interventions must stress the importance of gender-sensitive approaches, recognizing women’s roles as pivotal during climate disasters. They often manage resources, care for families, and face unique challenges, leaving them vulnerable as traditional support systems fail under disaster pressures.
“Climate change is robbing our children of not just their present but their futures,” stated one advocate at the forum, echoing sentiments from vulnerable communities. Implementing child-sensitive climate adaptation approaches will require structural changes within funding disbursement processes, but the urgency remains unabated. Policymakers must approach climate action with child-centered lenses, helping craft strategies where climate resilience benefits are evenly distributed across gender lines.
A pressing challenge remains the lagging healthcare systems across African nations, diminishing their capacity to respond effectively to the interplay of climate and health. The WHO report emphasizes the need for substantial international support to enable health-centered climate action but recognizes the precariousness tied to foreign aid, which often prioritizes donor agendas over local needs.
While the discussions at COP29 and initiatives like the ACCRCC forum shed light on key areas for action, the road toward equitable climate resilience appears fraught with hurdles. Observers will be watching, hoping for commitments centering health, equity, and comprehensive research to support vulnerable populations as they grapple with the systemic challenges posed by climate change.
The path forward must not only analyze physical threats but also recognize and address the mental health impacts, advocating for policies promoting holistic well-being for the most affected. The dialogue continues to push for concrete, systemic change—an imperative if communities and nations are to emerge resilient amid the intensifying reality of climate change.