African nations are losing up to 5% of their GDP annually due to the effects of climate change, according to a report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These countries, responsible for less than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, are facing more extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that Africa has seen a faster warming trend than the global average, impacting food security, public health, and peace.
The report highlights that many African nations are spending up to 9% of their budgets on climate adaptation, with the cost of these efforts in sub-Saharan Africa estimated at $30-50 billion annually over the next decade. In 2023, one of the continent’s hottest years on record, extreme weather events affected millions of people. Zambia, for example, experienced its worst drought in 40 years, while West Africa saw devastating floods that impacted over 300,000 people.
Without stronger climate measures, the report predicts that by 2030, as many as 118 million Africans could face severe droughts, floods, and heat. It urges governments to invest in early warning systems and better meteorological services to mitigate these growing risks.
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