Climate Change and Its Impact on Social Stability in African Countries

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most prominent contemporary global issues due to its far-reaching and interrelated environmental, economic, social, and political impacts. The intensity of climatic changes varies from one country to another depending on geographical location, adaptive capacity, and the nature of each country’s social, economic, and political structures. Despite their limited contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, African countries are among the most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change. This vulnerability is primarily attributed to limited adaptive capacities, the fragility of social, economic, and political systems, and heavy reliance on natural resources, along with the continued use of traditional agricultural practices. These factors have adversely affected societal stability across the continent. Accordingly, studying and analyzing the impact of climate change on societal stability in African countries constitutes an urgent necessity.