M. Hulme, USING CLIMATE INFORMATION IN AFRICA - SOME EXAMPLES RELATED TO DROUGHT, RAINFALL FORECASTING AND GLOBAL WARMING, IDS bulletin, 25(2), 1994, pp. 59-68
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.