Vital Climate Graphics - Update

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VITAL CLIMATE CHANGE GRAPHICS

traditional knowledge should be complemented by new research and climate change considerations must be an integrated element of the nation’s development agenda. How to finance adaptation? The Global Environment Facility (thegef.org) is an independent financial entity and the financial mechanism for the international conventions on environment issues, like the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Convention defines the mechanism for the provision of financial resources to developing countries. It also specifies that the financial mechanism, GEF, shall function under the guidance of, and be accountable to, the Conference of the Parties (COP), which shall decide on its policies, programme priorities, and eligibility criteria related to the Convention. Financial resources for the implementation of the Convention are available through the GEF Trust Fund, the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Adaptation Fund (once the

source of streams and rivers, and are also very important for the rain.

These are examples of Africa’s sensibility to climate change, and the new situation can only be improved through adaptation. The continent itself contributes to the emissions of harmful gasses, but just about 10% of world’s total. It is quite obvious that there is little Africa can do in terms of mitigation. The continent is dependent on the will of emitting countries in the West in terms of reductions, but still reductions are not due to have any impact for the next 50 years. Therefore, the focus on controlling emissions through international agreements and new technology in energy production and industries must be combined with strong efforts in minimizing damage through adaptation schemes. The most vulnerable ecological and socio-economic systems are those with the greatest sensitivity to climate change and with the least ability to adapt to new situation. As vulnerability defines the extent to which climate change may damage or harm a system, it depends not only on the system’s sensibility, but also on its ability to adapt. Thus

Kyoto Protocol enters into force). Funding is also available through bilateral, regional and multilateral channels. GEF Trust Fund is the main funding channel for climate change projects in developing countries. Since 1991, it provided approximately US$1.8 billion in grants for climate change activities. In addition more than US$ 9 billion was provided through co-financing from bilateral agencies, recipient countries and the private sector.

Potential climate changes impact according to IPCC 92 scenarios

Temperature

Sea level rise

Precipitation

I m p a c t s o n . . .

Species and natural areas

Health

Agriculture

Forest

Water resources

coastal areas

Erosion of beaches Inundation of coastal lands additional costs to protect coastal communities

Weather-related mortality

Forest composition Geographic range of forest Forest health and productivity

Water supply Water quality Competition for water

Crop yields Irrigation demands

Loss of habitat and species

Infectious diseases Air-quality respiratory illnesses

UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme /GRID-Arendal

Source:UnitedStates environmental protection agency (EPA).

Sources:

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Professor Paul Desanker interview by Churchill Otieno in the East African (newspaper), 13th December 2004. Climate Change Information Kit, published by UNEP and UNFCCC, October 2001 . http://unfccc.int/cooperation_and_support/funding/items/2807.php

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http://thegef.org/Projects/Focal_Areas/focal_areas.html http://www.unep.org/gef/content/activity_climate.htm