Working Document Series Open Access 2010 RUF-34788

An overview to climate change in North Africa: Implication for Africa

M. Hussein SuliemanM. Muna Elhag

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Abstract

160 words

North Africa is one of the worlds most water-scarce and dry region with a high dependency on climate-sensitive agriculture and a large share of its population and economic activity in flood-prone urban coastal zones. Therefore, climate change and variability may result in increased damage to natural resources and strategic economic sectors in the region. Agriculture is still one of the most important sectors of the economies of region, both for feeding the population and for export. Climate change is predicted to reduce water availability and quality, creating the potential for severe water shortages in both cities and rural areas. For the North Africa region, climate change is not a completely new phenomenon. Throughout the ages, societies of the region have been under pressure to adapt to water scarcity and heat. However, the scale of impacts that are expected from climate change is likely to be beyond the coping range of many communities and countries, and will require additional adaptation efforts.

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