Sixth Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change, 7-8 July 2011 Accra-Ghana

DANIEL S. AMLALOAG. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EPA-GHANA

Introduction Climate change- the challenge Adaptation- What is it? Climate Change adaptation and ICTs Conclusion

Undoubtedly, Climate Change is one of the greatest complex development challenges of our time

Its impacts are already visible Most recent scientific evidence shows the

problem is worsening fast and is already stretching the ability of human and natural systems to adapt.

In Ghana, most sensitive sectors of the economy such as agriculture, forestry, energy production, health, internal security etc. are threatened by Climate Change according to studies by the Environmental Protection Agency.

How Climate Change is dealt with today will have a direct bearing on human development prospects in future

Experts predict that in many sub-Saharan African countries, climate change could mean:

1. more frequent drought and floods 2. water scarcity 3. increased health challenges like under-

nutrition. These new challenges will not only make

achieving the MDGs more difficult, but could also threaten some of the progress already made in fighting extreme poverty and diseases.

Apart from those challenges above, there is high energy consumption in developing countries

Again most developing countries, especially, Africa has become fertile grounds for dumping of electronic waste (E-Waste)

Change of landscape, etc These, coupled with other challenges could

add onto the vulnerabilities of communities and systems to the impacts of climate change

Decline in agricultural productivityi) The areas suitable for agricultureii) the length of growing seasons iii) yield potential of food staples, etc are all

projected to decline.

Some African countries could see agricultural yields decrease by 50% by 2050 and crop net revenues could fall by as much as 90% by 2100.

Increased water stress: Changing climate patterns will have important implications for water availability in Africa. By 2020, an additional 75-250 million people in Africa are projected to be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change.

Rising sea levels Across the globe, sea levels could rise

rapidly with accelerated ice sheet disintegration.

In Africa, highly productive ecosystems, which form the basis for important economic activities such as tourism and fisheries, are located in coastal zones.

In total, about 70 million people and 30% of the Africa's coastal infrastructure could face the risk of coastal flooding by 2080 because of rising sea levels.

Risks to human health: Climate change will affect human health through variables such as changes in temperature, exposure to natural disasters, access to food and air quality.

Threats to ecosystems and biodiversity: Changes induced by climate change are likely to result in species range shifts and changes in tree productivity, adding further stress to forest ecosystems.

Responding to climate change requires action on two fronts: firstly "adaptation" to the consequences of current and future climate change and secondly "mitigation" of climate change by drastically reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, avoiding future emissions in developing countries and ensure carbon sinks, like the rainforest are preserved.

The term adaptation encompasses a broad range of responses that help governments, communities and individuals cope with the impact of climate change

Availability, access to, and dissemination of information and knowledge remain among the most challenging aspects within adaptation processes, particularly in developing regions.

communication and information –about the problem, solutions and their implications- are the important needed aspects of the adaptation process

The lack of useful information which is written in an appropriate, non-technical language, responding to local needs and priorities about alternative livelihood options, rights and entitlements, new agricultural methods, credit programs or relief efforts, among others, can constrain adaptive actions or even lead to maladaptation- within marginalised communities affected by climate change impacts.

Within this context, innovative strategies supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phones, community radios, or the Internet and related applications, could help to overcome some of the barriers that arise throughout climate change adaptation processes.

Innovations around Infectious Diseases Extreme weather events and changing

climatic patterns associated with climate change have been linked to the spread of vector-borne such as malaria and water-borne diseases.

ICTs such as mobile phones, community radio and the Internet have the potential to enable information sharing, awareness raising and capacity building on key health threats, enabling effective prevention and response.

Flood Safeguards Climatic changes such as increased and

erratic patterns of precipitation negatively affect the capacity of flood and drainage systems, built environment, energy and transportation, among others.

ICT applications such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can facilitate the monitoring and provision of relevant environmental information to relevant stakeholders, including decision-making processes for the adaptation of human habitats.

Weather Forecasting Technologies ICTs play a key role in the implementation

of innovative weather forecasting technologies, including the integration of community monitoring.

The use of mobile phones and SMS for reporting on locally-relevant indicators, for instance likelihood of floods, can contribute to greater accuracy and more precise flood warnings to communities.

Based on this information, authorities could design and put in more appropriate strategies.

More Resilient Crops In the face of higher temperatures, more

variable crop seasons and decreasing productivity, ICTs have the potential to enhance food security by strengthening agricultural production systems through information about :

pest and disease control planting dates seed varieties irrigation applications early warning systems improving market access, etc.

Water Purification, Water Recycling and Efficient Irrigation Systems

ICTs can contribute to the improvement of water resource management techniques, monitoring of water resources, capacity building and awareness rising.

Broadly diffused applications such as mobile phones can serve as tools to disseminate information on low-cost methods for desalination, using gray water and harvesting rainwater for every day uses, as well as for capacity building on new irrigation mechanisms, among others.

Sensors In addition to the role that sensors play in

monitoring climate change by helping to capture more accurate data, research indicates that they also constitute promising technologies for improving energy efficiency.

Sensors can be used in several environmental applications, such as control of temperature, heating and lighting.

ICTs could play a major role in resilience building and strengthening adaptive capacity.

ICTs have the potential to tackle climate change uncertainty not only by providing access to information and knowledge, but also by fostering networking, personal empowerment and participation, facilitating self-organisation, access to diverse resources and learning, among others, which ultimately contribute to better preparedness and response, including the possibility of transformation in the face of climate change

The question for all of us today is; to what extent are these ICTs facilities/services available to those who are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, especially those in the developing world??

For instance in terms of;

1. Affordability especially poor farmers2. Sustainable consumption and production

(sustainable development)

4. Awareness creation/raising5. Research development and education6. Networking7. Technology transfer

THANK YOU