Climate Change and its Impacts on Africa: The Role of Youth and Civil Society 1 st Africa Sustainable Development Forum Addis Ababa, Ethiopia May 11, 2016

Key Messages ➜ Human influence on the climate system is clear ➜ The more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts ➜ We have the means to limit climate change and build a more prosperous, sustainable future AR5 WGI SPM, AR5 WGII SPM, AR5 WGIII SPM

Temperatures continue to rise Year Globally averaged combined land and ocean surface temperatures Each of the past 3 decades has been successively warmer than the preceding decades since 1850 AR5 WGI SPM

AR5 SYR SPM

Sources of emissions Energy production remains the primary driver of GHG emissions 35% 24% 21% 14% 6.4% 2010 GHG emissions Energy Sector Agriculture, forests and other land uses Industry Transport Building Sector AR5 WGIII SPM

Some of the changes in extreme weather and climate events observed since about 1950 have been linked to human influence AR5 WGI SPM

Impacts are already underway Tropics to the poles On all continents and in the ocean Affecting rich and poor countries AR5 WGII SPM

Projected climate changes Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in the climate system Global glacier volume will further decrease Global mean sea level will continue to rise during the 21st century It is very likely that the Arctic sea ice cover will continue to shrink and thin as global mean surface temperature rises Oceans will continue to warm during the 21st century AR5 WGI SPM

➜ Precipitation decline in Northern Africa and southwest part of South Africa ➜ Likely increase in rainfall and extreme rainfall in Ethiopian Highlands ➜ Greater stress on water availability ➜ Impacts on ecosystems– coral reefs, fisheries – shifting ranges of some species and ecosystems ➜ Exacerbate vulnerability of agricultural systems, particularly in semi-arid areas ➜ Risks to food production Impacts on Africa

➜ Ethical dimensions– global support justified – assess loss and damage ➜ Institutional frameworks to be developed ➜ Create capacity and competence in local governments ➜ Disaster risk reduction, ecosystem-based approaches, livelihood diversification ➜ Strengthened interlinkages between adaptation & development pathways and link with SDGs. ➜ Sub-national and community-based adaptation essential ➜ Create climate resilient infrastructure and practices Adaptation Approaches

Impacts on the Greater Horn of Africa (1) ➜ Summer Monsoon Precipitation has declined ➜ Rainfall over the Sahel has experienced overall reduction. ➜ Projections indicate increase in the number of extreme rainfall days. ➜ Agriculture and Food Security would be adversely affected. AR5 WGI SPM, AR5 WGII SPM, AR5 WGIII SPM

➜ Agricultural pests, diseases and weeds would increase. ➜ Projected decline in nutrition indicating climate change would counteract benefits of socio- economic development. ➜ Vector-Borne Diseases to increase including Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Rift Valley fever (RVF) and tick-borne diseases. Impacts on the Greater Horn of Africa (2)

Potential Impacts of Climate Change Food and water shortages Increased poverty Increased displacement of people Coastal flooding AR5 WGII SPM

Climate Change Poses Risk for Food Production Percentage of yield projections AR5 SYR SPM

Mitigation Measures More efficient use of energy Greater use of low-carbon and no-carbon energy Many of these technologies exist today Improved carbon sinks Reduced deforestation and improved forest management and planting of new forests Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage Lifestyle and behavioural changes AR5 WGIII SPM

What is the POP Movement? Addresses the Urgent Need to Share Information and Knowledge Among Youth About Solutions to: ➜ Achieve Sustainable Development Goals ➜ Mitigate Climate Change ➜ Adapt to the Impacts of Climate Change PROTECT OUR PLANET

Why the POP Movement? Current Lack of Knowledge, Awareness and Inertia to Implement Climate Change Solutions are a Major Gap in Action The POP Movement Will Create and Serve the Massive Demand for Action That Can Be Implemented in Schools, Colleges and Communities Worldwide Knowledge About Climate Change Solutions Will Be Provided as Part of the POP Movement PROTECT OUR PLANET

What Does POP Do? The POP Movement:  Mobilizes Young People Globally to Protect Our Planet  Promotes Collective Action, Especially Among Youth to Implement Solutions Needed to Mitigate Climate Change  Recognizes and Reward Youth-Led Actions, Exemplary Initiatives, and Success Stories PROTECT OUR PLANET

POP in 2016

International Advisory Board PROTECT OUR PLANET

Global Partnerships PROTECT OUR PLANET Discussions Underway with DREFF, Dominican Republic and the Green Science Policy Institute and One More Generation in the US

Launch in Mexico POP Launches on Earth Day 2016 Address in the Mexican Parliament Talk at the Annual Environmental Film Festival at Cuernavaca PROTECT OUR PLANET

Upcoming Dominican Republic Launch PROTECT OUR PLANET Launch with DREFF in the Dominican Republic – September 2016

POP Festival in New York, 2016 POP Will Host a Festival in New York ➜ Showcase Youth Action to Protect Our Planet ➜ Launch US Partnerships ➜ Support Networking and Cross-Learning PROTECT OUR PLANET

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” “Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So it's very important to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country.” - Nelson Mandela