https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241031/zimbabwes-president-calls-for-urgent-african-action-on-climate-change-and-health-impacts-1068965873.html
Zimbabwe's President Calls for Urgent African Action on Climate Change and Health Impacts
Zimbabwe's President Calls for Urgent African Action on Climate Change and Health Impacts
Sputnik Africa
The International Climate and Health Africa Conference, ending on Thursday, gathers researchers, policymakers, and health officials from across Africa... 31.10.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-10-31T15:38+0100
2024-10-31T15:38+0100
2024-10-31T16:06+0100
sub-saharan africa
emmerson mnangagwa
zimbabwe
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climate change
health
healthcare
southern africa
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sanctions
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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on African nations to increase research and surveillance to address the growing health impacts of climate change, including the spread of diseases and heat-related stress.Speaking at the first-ever International Climate and Health Africa Conference in Harare, Mnangagwa emphasized that Africa’s efforts should prioritize vulnerable populations, including women, children, and people with disabilities, who are at heightened risk from climate-related health threats.The president highlighted the need for identifying critical climate-health indicators and strengthening surveillance systems to assess the resilience of African health systems in the face of disease outbreaks and climate-related stresses. He underscored that these steps are essential for building climate-resilient health infrastructures across the continent.The Zimbabwean leader also noted that the combination of climate change and illegal sanctions, especially those targeting Zimbabwe, is significantly impacting the efficiency of our healthcare system.Mnangagwa expressed his hope that insights from the conference would shape Africa’s contributions to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference.Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing rising temperatures, severe droughts, and extreme weather that threaten food security, water resources, and public health. The continent has warmed by approximately 0.7°C over the 20th century, and future warming rates are projected to exceed global averages. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular faces drought risks that impact agriculture and contribute to regional instability, according to the 2022 report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.Notably, although Africa emits less than 4% of global greenhouse gases, it endures disproportionate impacts, with climate stressors exacerbating poverty and disease, as per the African Development Bank.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241023/climate-change-and-conflicts-are-intensifying-extreme-flooding-in-africa-scientists-say-1068828612.html
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emmerson mnangagwa, zimbabwe, africa, climate change, health, healthcare, southern africa, heath, sanctions
Zimbabwe's President Calls for Urgent African Action on Climate Change and Health Impacts
15:38 31.10.2024 (Updated: 16:06 31.10.2024) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
The International Climate and Health Africa Conference, ending on Thursday, gathers researchers, policymakers, and health officials from across Africa. Participants aim to develop and exchange solutions that best serve African communities in confronting the health impacts of climate change.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on African nations to increase research and surveillance to address the growing health impacts of climate change, including the
spread of diseases and heat-related stress.
Speaking at the first-ever International Climate and Health Africa Conference in Harare, Mnangagwa emphasized that Africa’s efforts should prioritize vulnerable populations, including women,
children, and people with disabilities, who are at heightened risk from climate-related health threats.
“Our beloved continent, Africa, is enduring the worst effects of global warming. The land that nourished us for a millennium is now being ravaged by increasingly severe heat, droughts, floods, and cyclones,” Mnangagwa stated, describing climate change as “a profound public health emergency.”
The president highlighted the need for identifying critical climate-health indicators and strengthening surveillance systems to assess the resilience of African health systems in the face of disease outbreaks and climate-related stresses. He underscored that these steps are essential for building climate-resilient health infrastructures across the continent.
“As African nations, we must be at the forefront of protecting our people, our flora and
fauna, while advancing our development aspirations and livelihoods as a people,” he said.
The Zimbabwean leader also noted that the combination of climate change and
illegal sanctions, especially those targeting Zimbabwe, is significantly impacting the efficiency of our healthcare system.
Mnangagwa expressed his hope that insights from the conference would shape Africa’s contributions to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
“Whilst we call for global action, international cooperation, financial support, as well as the growing realization of Africa to work towards inclusive and sustainable development, unite us to act now,” he urged.
Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing rising temperatures, severe droughts, and extreme weather that threaten food security, water resources, and public health. The continent has warmed by approximately 0.7°C over the 20th century, and future warming rates are projected to exceed global averages. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular faces drought risks that impact agriculture and contribute to regional instability, according to the
2022 report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Notably, although
Africa emits less than 4% of global greenhouse gases, it endures disproportionate impacts, with climate stressors exacerbating poverty and disease, as per the African Development Bank.
