viii
Foreword by Felix D. Dakora
and often predict contradictory outcomes, depending upon the model. Thus, African
governments must manage these changes in the context of significant uncertainty.
This requires adaptive management, encompassing continuous improvement underpinned by rigorous science, in order to understand the drivers of change over time
and to be able to address them effectively.
With this in mind, the goal of this book is to offer a deeper analysis of the effects of
climate on water resources in some of the most vulnerable areas in Africa, including
approaches that may help reduce or mitigate the impacts of climate change. In this
regard, while there is no quick fix to the pressures imposed on water resources by
climate change, it is clear that increasing the resilience of ecosystems and communities to extreme events such as flooding and drought and integrating climate change
risks and opportunities into development decision-making, will be key. It is also
important that the wealthier countries assume responsibility for their historic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support those countries that are most impacted by
those emissions by contributing to their adaptations to climate change while reducing
their own carbon footprints. Wealthy countries and those countries that are now major
contributors to GHG emissions must make major and long-term contributions to
development, technology transfer, training, and capacity building, notably in Africa.
As a whole, this book intends to contribute to the debate around climate change in
relation to water resource management on the African continent, and in particular,
inform policy decisions and actions that will improve the ability of governments and
communities to manage the challenges of climate change and variability in relation
to the aquatic ecosystems upon which they depend.
Close collaboration among the editors, Prof. Salif Diop, Dr. Peter Scheren, and
Dr. Awa Niang, has been the driving force behind, “Climate Change and Water
Resource Management in Africa.” The editors would also like to thank the authors
who contributed their time and expertise to this important resource. It is our hope
and belief that this book will provide important, actionable information to the public
at large, and specifically to the many dedicated scientists, researchers, managers,
decision-makers, and policymakers that are working together to safeguard, protect,
and sustainably manage water resources in a changing climate in Africa.
Felix D. Dakora, Ph.D.
President of the African Academy of Sciences,
Professor, South African Chair in Agrochemurgy
and Plant Symbioses
Chemistry Department
Tshwane University of Technology
Pretoria, South Africa
Foreword by Felix D. Dakora
and often predict contradictory outcomes, depending upon the model. Thus, African
governments must manage these changes in the context of significant uncertainty.
This requires adaptive management, encompassing continuous improvement underpinned by rigorous science, in order to understand the drivers of change over time
and to be able to address them effectively.
With this in mind, the goal of this book is to offer a deeper analysis of the effects of
climate on water resources in some of the most vulnerable areas in Africa, including
approaches that may help reduce or mitigate the impacts of climate change. In this
regard, while there is no quick fix to the pressures imposed on water resources by
climate change, it is clear that increasing the resilience of ecosystems and communities to extreme events such as flooding and drought and integrating climate change
risks and opportunities into development decision-making, will be key. It is also
important that the wealthier countries assume responsibility for their historic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support those countries that are most impacted by
those emissions by contributing to their adaptations to climate change while reducing
their own carbon footprints. Wealthy countries and those countries that are now major
contributors to GHG emissions must make major and long-term contributions to
development, technology transfer, training, and capacity building, notably in Africa.
As a whole, this book intends to contribute to the debate around climate change in
relation to water resource management on the African continent, and in particular,
inform policy decisions and actions that will improve the ability of governments and
communities to manage the challenges of climate change and variability in relation
to the aquatic ecosystems upon which they depend.
Close collaboration among the editors, Prof. Salif Diop, Dr. Peter Scheren, and
Dr. Awa Niang, has been the driving force behind, “Climate Change and Water
Resource Management in Africa.” The editors would also like to thank the authors
who contributed their time and expertise to this important resource. It is our hope
and belief that this book will provide important, actionable information to the public
at large, and specifically to the many dedicated scientists, researchers, managers,
decision-makers, and policymakers that are working together to safeguard, protect,
and sustainably manage water resources in a changing climate in Africa.
Felix D. Dakora, Ph.D.
President of the African Academy of Sciences,
Professor, South African Chair in Agrochemurgy
and Plant Symbioses
Chemistry Department
Tshwane University of Technology
Pretoria, South Africa