How Africa Could Become a Climate Savior, Not a Victim
The continent has some unique advantages that could help it make a significant contribution to the climate fight.
Wind turbines in Kenya.
Photographer: Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images
In the climate change discourse, Africa is typically cast as a victim. But what if it could instead become our hero?
The continent is suffering the consequences of the climate emergency, despite bearing little responsibility for the carbon emissions that have caused it. As of 2021, Africa had contributed just 2.8% of the world’s cumulative CO2 emissions — for context, the US is responsible for roughly 25%. Africa faces extreme heat, food and water insecurity, increased diseases and changing weather patterns. Collectively, African economies have been losing between 5% to 15% of annual per capita growth in gross domestic product because of climate change.