Although the entire world is already experiencing the effects of climate change on the environment, according to the UN, West Africa is becoming a target zone for this phenomenon [3].

Mean temperatures in the subregion are expected to rise by between 1.9% and 4.5%, well above the global mean temperature increase. West African rivers such as The Volta, The Senegal, or The Gambia have lost nearly 50% of their capacity as a result of evaporation. As a result, the area is suffering more desertification over time due to the Sahara desert extending towards the Sahel and the region’s grasslands [1].

On the other hand, the subregion is also suffering increased flooding that has destroyed vegetation, ecosystems, and fertile land, as well as increases in outbreaks of agricultural pests. For this reason, people have been forced to leave their homes and migrate, which can also increase conflict as they compete over scarce resources in overpopulated areas [1].

Furthermore, as temperatures rise and rainfall increases, people are more likely to suffer from malaria, as mosquitoes thrive in moist environments. This illness not only affects humans but also animals, which can affect livestock and, therefore, threaten food security. Food insecurity may lead to further proliferation of illness, hunger and malnutrition for the population as a whole [4].

Moreover, West Africa is currently undergoing environmental problems not directly caused by global climate change. Poor environmental practices have led to soil erosion; deforestation and extractive industries (such as mining) have caused a large loss of biodiversity. Another issue is the poor distribution of resources and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems due to contamination and pollution, which directly impact the population’s well-being [2].  

Nevertheless, the West African countries are not unconcerned with the current state of their environment. They are currently trying to stop the effects of global warming and alleviate the negative impacts of the numerous other environmental problems. This is where the ECOWAS comes into play. 

The ECOWAS is a regional organization of West African countries with the objective of harmonizing and coordinating policies among member states in different areas, such as industry and agriculture. 

In 2007, its member states recognized the necessity of synchronizing environmental policies to enhance the protection of the environment and minimize the effects of climate change [1]. This is why in 2008, the regional organization issued its Environmental Policy aimed at creating an environmental action plan in order to support the governments and societies in their adaptation to climate change. 

In order to fulfill such an objective, the document is based on four pillars:

• Building strong environmental governance

• Fighting against contamination

• Endorsing sustainable management of shared resources 

• Encouraging environmental information, education and communication [2]

Following the publishing of this policy, the ECOWAS has organized many conferences, drafted more policy papers (such as 2010’s a Regional Action Program to Reduce Vulnerability to Climate Change in West Africa) and its members have joined the Paris Climate Agreement. 

These are commendable efforts to slow the effects of climate change, but there’s still much more to do. Many countries that are a part of the organization are some of the poorest of the world and are therefore more prone to vulnerability to climate change, since they do not have the manpower, structure and know-how to face this global issue [1]. Therefore, it is imperative for the ECOWAS to work towards building upon those missing elements. 

On the whole, ECOWAS is the best possible organization that can achieve a total subregional adaptation to climate change. Its members have taken a big step by recognizing the necessity of a regional approach to climate change given the shared natural resources and biodiversity among them. The ECOWAS states shouldn’t take this opportunity for granted; while climate change is a catastrophe, this scenario is a possibility for them to overcome collective action problems and to develop the region in a sustainable way.  

Written by: Martina Pantano

References:

1. Ezeife, N. D. (2014). Projected Impact of Global Warming on West Africa: Case for Regional and Transnational Adaptive Measures. Annual Survey of International & Comparative Law, 20(1), 101–138. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/233110536.pdf

2. IUCN. (2016). West Africa Environmental Policy. https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/policy_brief_wa_environmnetal_policy.pdf

3. Shepard, D. (2019, March 4). Global warming: severe consequences for Africa. Africa Renewal. https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2018-march-2019/global-warming-severe-consequences-africa#:%7E:text=West%20Africa%20has%20been%20identified,Africa%20will%20also%20be%20affected

4. United Nations. (2010). Climate Change and Malaria - A Complex Relationship. https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/climate-change-and-malaria-complex-relationship#:%7E:text=An%20increase%20in%20temperature%2C%20rainfall,it%20was%20not%20reported%20earlier.&text=In%20dry%20climates%2C%20heavy%20rainfall,breeding%20conditions%20for%20the%20mosquitoes.