PES » Global Warming » Information Center » Sub-Saharan Africa » Possible Consequences of Temperature Increases
	The African continent is particularly sensitive to climate changes. As the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, possible climate changes include the increased occurance of extreme climate events such as floods, landslides , winds and droughts . The widespread poverty which exists on the African continent makes it difficult to prepare for these changes in climate.		forward: Questions browse: Table of Contents
			Measurements show that the level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing. (Graphs by Robert Simmon, based on data from the NOAA Climate Monitoring & Diagnostics Laboratory)
	Many climate models predict that as more carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere, temperatures on the continent may increase and rainfall may decrease in many parts of the African contintent. Hotter temperatures would further stress Africa’s already stressed water resources. As the water level in rivers and reservoirs drops, water supplies become contaminated. Water contamination leads to further incidence of disease. Agriculture may also be negatively impacted as less water becomes available for crops. In the arid and semi-arid regions of the continent, many plants and animals may not be able to adapt to the higher temperatures.		Agriculture in Africa would suffer if rainfall decreased. (Photograph 4709045 copyright David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia. ForestryImages.org)
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