Namira Najm, the director of the African Migration Observatory under the African Union, has sounded the alarm on the potential threats posed by the general populace’s lack of awareness regarding climate change impacts.
Speaking at the Climate Mobility Summit, organized by the Global Center for Climate Movement affiliated with the United Nations on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York, Najm shared her insights:
1. Studies have shown that many globally remain unaware or dismissive of the impacts of climate change. Notably, some residents of regions most affected by these changes are among them.
2. The risks are amplified due to the scarcity of early warning systems predicting climate variations. Data concerning affected citizens, including potential internal migrants, is crucial.
3. There’s an urgent need to systematically gather and analyze data, which would help in strategically safeguarding lives, property, and ameliorating human living conditions.
4. Addressing the repercussions of climate change, Najm emphasized the intertwined relationship between food security and climate-induced migration.
5. She warned that an intensified food security crisis is “imminent”. Rural-to-urban migration is escalating due to rural communities struggling with declining crop yields, livestock productivity, and inadequate employment opportunities, making rural life unsustainable.
6. The importance of comprehensive data collection and its thorough examination cannot be overstated. This will help gauge the effect of what she termed “climate migration” on agricultural lands. Timely interventions are vital before the global food crisis becomes alarmingly aggravated.
7. Africa remains one of the continents most vulnerable to climate change, especially nations in the Horn of Africa like Ethiopia and Somalia, and central and western regions like Chad and Nigeria. These regions are grappling with severe flooding or drought, in addition to unprecedented storm surges, as recently witnessed in Libya, North Africa, with Hurricane “Daniel”.
Calls for Data-Driven Solutions
To safeguard global food security and livelihoods, it’s imperative to harness data-driven solutions that inform timely interventions. As climate change reshapes African landscapes and migration patterns, understanding its intricacies is vital for sustainable futures.
As the effects of climate change become more palpable, global attention has turned to understanding its repercussions on human migration patterns. The African Union, at the forefront of addressing this concern, is playing a pivotal role through its African Migration Observatory.
