AFRICA - Climate change threatens food security in Africa

Luanda (Agenzia Fides) –Luanda, in Angola, is hosting a regional conference for Africa, organised by the Rome based UN Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO, which will end on May 7. According to a new report “The implications of climate change for food security and management of natural resources in Africa”, climate change could pose a serious threat to food security in Africa and to the reduction of poverty in Africa. The principal consequence of rising temperatures and growing unpredictability of weather conditions will probably be a reduction in harvests. Climate change will effect most of all the poorest countries, and people who suffer most in those countries will be the poorest. The most vulnerable are Africa's small subsistence farmers and those who lack suitable equipment to overcome the effects. One third of the people of African live in areas prone to drought. Six of the continent's largest cities are situated in coastal areas, and are therefore the most exposed to climate change. In five days of meeting, among other things, the participants will discuss the effect on Africa's food security of high food prices and the challenges and opportunities of bio-energy for the continent. (AP) (4/5/2010 Agenzia Fides)