The effects of climate change are severe in Africa partly because
the continent generally lacks the capacity to respond adequately to
climate challenges. Rising numbers of floods and droughts associated
with extreme weather and changes in precipitation patterns have serious
impacts which are redefining lifestyle for urban and rural residents. In
rural areas for example, drought affects output, income, water supply,
and livelihood of people, most of whom are small or peasant farmers
depending on rainfed agriculture. Urban areas are not spared from floods
(especially coastal cities), water, energy, and food crises, further
fueled by rapid urbanization and the limited capacities of municipal
authorities to respond. At countries and regional levels, some of these
challenges have metamorphosed into civil wars and international
conflicts over resources and opportunities, facilitating the rise of
armed/terrorist groups that create an atmosphere of generalized
insecurity. Faced with these multiple challenges, many African
countries, especially after COVID-19 are overwhelmed, thus exacerbating
their levels of poverty, rural exodus, and outmigration.
This session will focus on contributions (case studies or/and
discourses) that help theorize, frame, and understand the experiences
and responses of urban and rural dwellers (especially women) to climate
crisis in Africa. We encourage contributions that apply a gender lens to
interrogate policies and local responses to current climate crises and
discuss some of the challenges and prospects for Africa. We particularly
welcome contributions on Africa addressing:
- Climate change and water security.
- Climate change and energy security.
- Climate change and food security
- Climate change, security, and outmigration.