Implications of Global Warming and Climate Change on West Central African Agricultural Systems

Abstract

Global warming and climate change would significantly affect agriculture in West and Central Africa. Significant aspects of the possible effects would include (a) effects of increased rainfall and rising temperatures (b) effects of increased rainfall intensities and variability of rainfall (c) changes in agroclimatic and agroecological zones (d) effects on agricultural systems and (e) effects of the sea level rise. In general, the implications of climate change would reduce agricultural productivity and bring about poverty, hunger, famine and death to the local population.