Too hot to handle? Heat resilience in urban South Sudan

South Sudan is at risk from the impact of climate change. This paper reviews the climate change issues faced by South Sudan, and the strategy as outlined to the United Nations. The author argues that the policy overlooks a key potential cause of future morbidity and mortality: increased ambient temperatures, particularly in urban centres due to the urban heat island effect. The capital is especially susceptible to heat-related mortality as it faces a 'triple threat': rapidly rising temperatures, an at-risk population profile, and inadequate planning for the pressures of urbanisation. Four low-cost, evidence-based recommendations are given to mitigate the impact of heatwaves on human health, and it is concluded that South Sudan has great potential to become a regional leader in heat resilience

Effects of climate change on tropical forest ecosystem of three selected local government in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study evaluated changes in climate on tropical rainforest ecosystem in three Local Government Area of Rivers state, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered randomly to 300 respondents. 89.7% affirms that they are aware of the change in climate, 10.3% were not aware. 33.6% attribute the source of their awareness to village leaders/neighbours and relations, 28.3% Radio, 17.7% television, 13.7% internet and 6.7% newspaper. On the causes of climate change, 32.7 attributes the cause to deforestation, 21.7% Urbanization and 20.7% Logging. 89.3% affirmed to being aware of the health implication of climate change, 10% were not aware while 0.7% were undecided. On the current state of the Tropical forest 82.7% expressed regret, 10% had no regret while 7.3% were undecided. 56% attest to loss in some indigenous specie while 44% were not aware. This research reveals that tropical forest ecosystems have been depleted and this has been attributed to human activities which include deforestation, urbanization, etc. leading to loss of forest. Enlightenment/awareness campaigns will help curtail further depletion of the forest

Les changements climatiques et leurs conséquences sur la santé

Le changement climatique est une réalité inéluctable pour les décennies à venir, compte tenu de l'inertie du système climatique. L'ampleur du changement est à ce stade incertaine au niveau planétaire, et plus encore localement. Cependant, des conséquences sont à prévoir dans tous les cas sur la santé humaine, considérée à l'échelle de la planète, avec des retentissements sanitaires directs (vagues de chaleur, inondations, pollution de l'air…) et surtout indirects sur la disponibilité de l'eau potable et des ressources alimentaires, la destruction de l'habitat. Ces impacts sont source potentielle de déplacement de populations, de violences, de conflits. Il est non seulement possible mais nécessaire de se préparer à répondre à l'incertitude et à l'inconnu par des politiques publiques volontaristes d'atténuation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre et d'adaptation aux impacts déjà en développement et à venir. Ces politiques doivent s'appuyer sur une interdisciplinarité scientifique mais aussi sur l'implication des populations

Population and reproductive health in national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) for climate change in Africa

This paper reviews 44 National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) to assess the NAPA process and identify the range of interventions included in countries' priority adaptation actions and highlight how population issues and reproductive health/family planning (RH/FP) are addressed as part of the adaptation agenda. A majority of the 44 NAPAs identify rapid population growth as a key component of vulnerability to climate change impacts. However, few chose to prioritise NAPA funds for family planning/reproductive health programmes. The paper emphasizes the need to translate the recognition of population pressure as a factor related to countries' ability to adapt to climate change into relevant project activities. Such projects should include access to RH/FP, in addition to other strategies such as girls education and women's empowerment that lead to lower fertility. Attention to population and integrated strategies should be central and aligned to longer-term national adaptation plans and strategies (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 133-145)