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Climate Adaptation

Africa is Warming Fast, and the Most Vulnerable Are Being Hit Hardest

African nations are spending between 2% and 9% of their gross domestic product on climate adaptation and mitigation measures, according to the World Meteorological Organization

A woman and her children walk back home after collecting food aid in Simumbwe, Zambia, in January.

A woman and her children walk back home after collecting food aid in Simumbwe, Zambia, in January.

Photographer: Guillem Sartorio/AFP via Getty Images

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The African continent is warming quickly, and climate change is expected to disproportionally affect every aspect of life there, from human health to food security and economic growth, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s first-ever State of the Climate in Africa report. 

Temperatures in Africa have increased over 1º Celsius compared to the average between 1901 and 2012, and warming in large areas of the continent may exceed 2ºC from pre-industrial times by 2080 to 2100 if emissions continue at their current levels, according to the report released on Monday and coordinated by the WMO.