Africa Faces Growing Climate Crisis As WMO Warns Of Record Heat, Rising Displacement
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The World Meteorological Organization, (WMO), in its latest report, says Africa is on the frontline of a deepening climate crisis, with rising temperatures, deadly floods, and crippling droughts threatening lives and livelihoods across the continent.
The report, the State of the Climate in Africa 2024 reveals that the year is likely to be the warmest or second-warmest on record, with the last decade officially the hottest in history.
From failed crops to flooded communities, the impacts are being felt in every corner of the continent.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo described the findings as a “stark warning,” citing both exceptional drought in Southern Africa and devastating floods in East and West Africa.
Countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe have seen cereal harvests plunge by nearly half, while over four million people across Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon have been affected by catastrophic flooding.
“The situation is urgent,” Saulo warned. “But with innovation and cooperation, we can still build resilience.”
The report highlights advances in artificial intelligence, digital weather forecasting, and mobile communication as bright spots.
In countries like Nigeria and Kenya, digital platforms are helping farmers and communities prepare for extreme weather.
Still, the WMO stresses that much more must be done especially in strengthening early warning systems and boosting investment in climate-smart solutions.
As Africa battles the cascading effects of climate change, the call is clear: adapt, invest, and act before the next storm, or drought, strikes.
