- An Oxford study has warned that African nations risk extreme heat if climate targets are missed.
- Uganda, South Sudan, and Congo are among the most vulnerable to soaring temperatures.
- The report calls for urgent action to safeguard Africa’s socio-economic development and vulnerable populations.
In a recent report by Oxford University, it has been highlighted that African countries, including Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, face a severe threat from extreme temperatures if global climate targets are not met.
The study emphasises the urgent need to take action, as these nations would experience a significant increase in heat exposure if the planet warms by 2ºC. The research focused on “cooling degree days,” a widely used method to assess the need for cooling on specific days. Alarmingly, Africa had the highest historical cooling requirements between 2009 and 2018.
The report predicts that Africa will face the most extreme temperature increase if climate targets are missed, leading to an increased demand for cooling in a 2.0ºC scenario.
The countries most at risk, in addition to Uganda, include the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan, Nigeria, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Cameroon. The study used advanced modelling techniques, analysing the world in 60 km grids every six hours to ensure accurate temperature averages.
The impact of rising temperatures extends beyond these countries, as nations unaccustomed to extreme heat will also face severe consequences. Dr. Radhika Khosla, the leader of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Cooling, warns that this situation will further strain Africa’s socio-economic development and energy networks. She emphasises the urgent need for more research to address this rising threat specific to Africa, which has been relatively understudied.
Dr. Nicole Miranda, a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford, points out that countries already facing heatwaves and extreme temperatures will experience even more severe conditions if global mean temperatures rise from 1.5ºC to 2.0ºC.
Central African countries, including the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Mali, are projected to suffer the most, with over 250 additional cooling degree days.
The consequences of extreme heat are alarming, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and a higher risk of fatalities, especially among vulnerable populations.
As the report sheds light on the situation in Africa, it underlines the need for international collaboration and climate justice. Dr. Khosla stresses that Africa is disproportionately affected by a problem it did not cause, emphasising the call for fair and equitable climate action.
Urgent measures are necessary to address cooling demand and ensure that vulnerable nations receive the support they need to combat the escalating threat of extreme temperatures.
