In this blog I will try and explore how two very much water-centric industries within Africa are suffering from supposed climatic events. How they are then trying to cope and adapt to these changes. Ultimately then, to what extent are these linked to climatic changes and therefore what other influences may be at play. This final point really intrigues me as, at this point I have no idea what the result of this line of questioning will discover.
The reason I have chosen the fraught relationship between climate change and water is that “Water is the primary medium through which people in Africa will experience climate change impacts” (Taylor, 2011: 1) and therefore a pertinent topic to explore further. I plan to allow the nature of the blog to flow, akin to a babbling brook taking its unassuming path down a gently sloping hillock as new avenues are discovered and explored. Aspects such as the hydrological cycle, rainfall patterns and temperature balance, will somewhat dictate due to their proven effects on water availability, accessibility, economic development and biodiversity. General observations include the fact that the poorest countries of the world are affected more profoundly by fluctuations on water prevalence than richer ones so in this context Africa and the countries within it are an excellent place to start. Moreover, I personally am intrigued by how “sensitive to changes in climate and prolonged climate variability” (ACPC, 2013: 2) Africa’s water supply is. Due to climate change impacts on water lacking any sort of uniformity when viewed across different regions I am keen to explore the extent of this observation throughout Africa and try to fathom reasons why it may occur. Africa as a continent has always had problems with water, couple this with climate change causing increased temperatures and therefore reduced precipitation levels – man kind and Mother Nature are acting as a tour de force in the exacerbation of water scarcity in Africa.
The reason I have chosen the fraught relationship between climate change and water is that “Water is the primary medium through which people in Africa will experience climate change impacts” (Taylor, 2011: 1) and therefore a pertinent topic to explore further. I plan to allow the nature of the blog to flow, akin to a babbling brook taking its unassuming path down a gently sloping hillock as new avenues are discovered and explored. Aspects such as the hydrological cycle, rainfall patterns and temperature balance, will somewhat dictate due to their proven effects on water availability, accessibility, economic development and biodiversity. General observations include the fact that the poorest countries of the world are affected more profoundly by fluctuations on water prevalence than richer ones so in this context Africa and the countries within it are an excellent place to start. Moreover, I personally am intrigued by how “sensitive to changes in climate and prolonged climate variability” (ACPC, 2013: 2) Africa’s water supply is. Due to climate change impacts on water lacking any sort of uniformity when viewed across different regions I am keen to explore the extent of this observation throughout Africa and try to fathom reasons why it may occur. Africa as a continent has always had problems with water, couple this with climate change causing increased temperatures and therefore reduced precipitation levels – man kind and Mother Nature are acting as a tour de force in the exacerbation of water scarcity in Africa.
Great insight into your reasons for selecting this topic and good introduction relating climate change to water and it's impact on those within the African Continent
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment Oliver - stay tuned for more applied examples where this relationship can be displayed.
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