IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON REFUGEES AND FOOD SHORTAGE CRISES IN AFRICA

Abstract

The effects of global climate change, regarded as “environmental stresses” could be natural or anthropogenic-induced. Africa, which is the second-most populous continent in the world after Asia, is vulnerable to the impacts of global climate change. The continent is characterized by a staggering population of refugees of which many are displaced from their original environment. This study investigates the impacts of global climate change on refugees and food crises in the African States dealing with empirical studies of climate change, migration, and food production. Present study discussed primarily the environmental disasters affected by variations in climate. The paper also explains how climate changes have affected the refugees and food shortage crises in the African continent. Through empirical studies, the study discovered that the effects of changes in climate and resulted environment have caused the conflicts, economic shocks and food crises for the millions of people in Africa. Most African countries that experienced a significant rise in undernourishment for 7 years (2011-2017) faced serious economic slowdown or downturn. The study concludes that there will be a continuous and future increase of migration hotspots around Africa due to the impact of environmental change if actions are not put in place. The study recommends that the governments in all countries of the African continent should foresee and respond to environmental issues, promote decent employment to avoid involuntary migration, and strategize on regional grain reserves that contain food price volatility to avoid food crises.

KEYWORDS: Climate change, environmental disasters, food shortages, refugees,undernourishment