Using the IPCC’s Interactive Atlas to understand how Africa’s climate is changing

July 2021 Newsletter

Understanding the impact of climate change on urban WASH in Africa through new interactive site

July 21, 2021
// Water

An interactive site recently published by Future Climate for Africa (FCFA) showcases the research of FCFA in urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems across the continent. It provides an overview of the status of urban WASH systems in countries and cities where FCFA has been working and the climate risks these WASH systems are facing. Further, it aims to highlight the relationship between future climate and effective WASH service delivery in African cities.

Climate researchers from across Africa build their capacity in Python programming at FCFA & GCRF African SWIFT workshop

In a collaborative effort, Future Climate for Africa (FCFA) and GCRF African-SWIFT organised a one-week online Python workshop (from 7th to 12th June 2021) for researchers in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology and forecasters at operational weather centres based in Africa with a keen interest in developing their data analysis skills. The workshop was a virtual, practical-oriented training targeted at equipping participants with relevant Python programming tools for integrating the Python programming language into workflows at National Meteorological Operational and Research centres, analysing climate data and recreating figures suitable for international peer-reviewed journals.

Finding real-world solutions to Africa’s climate and development nexus

Future Climate for Africa (FCFA), which draws to a close this year, has worked closely with countries in sub-Saharan Africa in an effort to influence real-world decision-making in the context of climate change, including to address city-based development issues such as the overlap between urban sanitation and flood risk. The work aimed to inform planning, policies and investments, foster new partnerships and collaborations, and build new talent on the African continent through capacity building initiatives.

Innovative games and role-playing help West African farmers grapple with climate change

Building new climate knowledge to support the agricultural sector has been a key FCFA focus. Using novel research processes, such as the Plateau Game, FCFA is better able to understand how farmers in West Africa make agricultural and land management decisions, and how climate events influence their decision making. Another innovate approach used in Senegal’s agricultural sector was a participatory theatre forum. African and European FCFA researchers teamed up with a troupe of West African actors to put on a theatre production for a very specific audience: farmers, local and regional government representatives with an agricultural portfolio, and civil society.

Mapping the invisible atmospheric ‘rivers’ that bring East Africa’s rain

East Africa’s rainfall depends on water vapor moving through the lower atmosphere from the Indian Ocean into the continental interior as far away as the Congo River Basin. When the jet streams that drive this water flow more swiftly, this often results in drought conditions over countries like Tanzania and Kenya. This system’s influence may even stretch as far south as Mozambique.

How has Future Climate for Africa improved the understanding of climate change in Africa?

A new micro-site on FCFA’s impact and relevance aims to highlight and signpost the impact of FCFA through three key pillars. Pillar 1 focuses on how FCFA has delivered a step change in climate science through improved understanding of what drives Africa’s climate and how it will change. Pillar 2 outlines FCFA’s novel approaches to research and engagement with government decision-makers, communities and researchers. Pillar 3 highlights how this climate information was used to address real world problems and inform development plans.

April 2021 Newsletter

Call for applications: FCFA and GCRF African SWIFT Python training 2021

This virtual training call is open to all researchers in atmospheric science and meteorology, and to forecasters at operational weather centres based in Africa who have a keen interest in developing their data analysis skills. Applicants who are under the GCRF African SWIFT project and FCFA are highly encouraged to apply.