Editor’s note: The U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) recently released a report that takes a refreshingly optimistic look at climate change adaptation in Africa. Whereas adaptation is often viewed as a last-ditch effort to combat climate-driven changes in the landscape, this new report highlights its potential to support new business endeavors and as a way to build community resilience. Richard Munang, UNEP’s Africa Regional Climate Change Programme Co-ordinator, writes about UNEP’s findings, highlighting adaptation’s economic, social and environmental potential in Africa.
Done correctly, climate adaptation techniques can improve income and social welfare, protect and restore ecosystems, and serve other economic sectors and wider groups in the community.
The UNEP report uses graphics and photographs to communicate and showcase data on adaptation actions across Africa. It uses stories to illustrate how low-cost adaptation actions have contributed to human welfare, poverty alleviation and employment – and also how these actions have worked in harmony with nature to strengthen ecosystems.Further research is required on the beneficial economic impacts of adaptation, and how to link and take to scale proven technologies, processes and systems, while investing in future adaptation approaches.
The UNEP report, rooted in the understanding that ecosystem-based techniques are an optimal approach to powering African development, opens the door to more sustainable economic growth in a climate-constrained world.
Read Richard Munang’s full article and join the discussion below. Is adaptation the climate change silver lining?
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