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Envi10


Adapting to and combating climate change in Africa's drylands 
Convenors:
Gerda Kuiper (University of Cologne)
N'golo Abdoulaye KONE (University Félix Houphouët-Boigny)
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Discussant:
Isimemen Osemwegie (University of Bonn)
Format:
Panel
Streams:
Environment and Geography (x) Climate Change (y)
:
Philosophikum, S63
Sessions:
Wednesday 31 May, -, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin

Short Abstract:

This panel interrogates the uncertain future of Africa's drylands or savannas due to the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. It assesses current problems, probable ecological outcomes and possibilities for African communities to adapt, for instance through nature-based solutions.

Long Abstract:

The future of Africa's dryland areas - including the continent's iconic savannas - is uncertain. These drylands are in a transitionary phase, driven by the interlinked threats of climate change and biodiversity loss in the context of rapid demographic change. Whereas some effects of global and local climate change have already materialized, the exact outcomes of this transition and their societal implications are unclear. This panel presents the current degradation and environmental problems of Africa's drylands and interrogates different scenarios for their future, as for instance outlined by the IPCC, from a transdisciplinary perspective. It looks at (a) probable ecological consequences and (b) possible ways for African communities living in the drylands to influence these outcomes and to adapt to them. The panel furthermore investigates the potential of the trend to look for localized measures and solutions for global and local environmental problems. An example are nature-based solutions, that explicitly consider local and indigenous knowledge. How can such localized measures be of use in keeping Africa's dryland areas habitable, now and in the future?

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Wednesday 31 May, 2023, -
Session 2 Wednesday 31 May, 2023, -