USING CLIMATE INFORMATION IN AFRICA - SOME EXAMPLES RELATED TO DROUGHT, RAINFALL FORECASTING AND GLOBAL WARMING

The strong influence of climate upon the distribution and utilization of Africa's natural resources occurs through both its mean state and t hrough its temporal variability. The latter aspect has received increa sing attention. The prospect of future global-mean warming due to gree nhouse gas emissions adds a further dimension to the problem. Correct analysis and interpretation of climate variability over Africa, and it s linkages with the global climate system, are important if appropriat e resource management policies, targeted aid strategies and economic r e-structuring are to be implemented. This article briefly discusses so me examples of how information formation about climate variability in Africa has been used in the context of seasonal rainfall forecasting, regional drought impacts, the International Negotiating Committees of the forthcoming Desertification Convention and the existing (and to be ratified) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.