Africa How is climate change affecting population and education? Where does Africa fall in the world hunger rate? How does hunger affect Africa’s education? Rebekah Stewart Kathleen Wilson

Climate Change Affecting Population and Education According to Dr. Ani, Africa may very well be the most negatively impacted continent due to climate change. Africa is in a unique position because it is located between two oceans. As temperatures in the Pacific Ocean increase, climate is adversely affected. For example, in Nigeria, ecosystems have been disrupted, weather conditions have led to over flooding, soil erosion, increased desertification, droughts, and more. The people in Nigeria have no doubt been affected due to these worsening climatic conditions. The impact on children has been that children now are needed for finding clean water and helping tend to the land. The amount of emphasis/time devoted to school activities has been greatly impacted.

Schools have been destroyed due to flooding and with limited sanitary drinking water, disease has spread and impacted the population. Housing units have been affected due to sea level rise, increased frequency and severity of storms, flooding, and high winds.

Climate Change Affecting Population and Education In Nigeria, studies from , show an annual decrease in rainfall from 2-8 mm. across most of the country, and long-term temperature increase across most parts of the country. Common sense allows for the basic understanding of the equation: decreased rainfall + increased temperatures = a negative impact on water sources and agriculture. There is a need for education regarding climate changes among Nigerians. Educational support needs to be established to help spread awareness and resources to other countries in Africa that haven’t been as affected as Nigeria.

Hunger Rates

Hunger Affecting Education One source stated that the lack of access to clean, safe drinking water affected school attendance. It is challenging to attend school when so much time is spent daily on finding and transporting safe water. Many diseases are spread through the lack of sanitation and safe water, therefore population decreases and productivity decreases (going to school, tending to the community, taking care of the family, etc.)

Is Hunger Affecting Education or Is Education Affecting Hunger? One of the main factors of malnutrition and high malnourishment rates is due to the lack of education regarding nutrition. Research proves that an active, behaviorally focused method involving food-based activities, enhances the positive outcome of nutrition education programs in local schools. Children are helpful in spreading and increasing knowledge about proper nutrition and exercise within their local communities.

Is Hunger Affecting Education or Is Education Affecting Hunger? In one study in South Africa, 45 selected public schools were chosen to represent nine provinces of South Africa. During the experimental study, six different nutrition education topics were covered with teachers. 1.Healthy Food Choices 2.Food and nutrient composition of foods 3.Diseases of lifestyle 4.Factors contributing to malnutrition 5.Role of nutrition in health 6.Signs of malnutrition The study proved beneficial as teachers were made more aware of the shortcomings in their nutrition knowledge. They then were more equipped with proper knowledge to share with their students and therefore, communities.

“Although Africa is the continent least responsible for climate change, it is particularly vulnerable to the effects, including reduced agricultural production, worsening food security, the increased incidence of both flooding and drought, spreading disease and increased rush of conflict over scarce land and water resources.” Official Report of the climate change and Africa 8th meeting of the Africa partnership forum Berlin, Germany May, 2007, organized by APF support unit and the NEPAD), page I

Resources Adegboye, O. O., & Kotze, D. D. (2013). AN EXPLORATORY LOOK AT ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF POVERTY ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN AFRICA AND IN-DEPTH MULTI-LEVEL MODELLING FOR NAMIBIA. 37(1), Ani, C. (2013). Managing Climate Change In Africa: Challenges To Traditional Knowledge Systems And Human Values. Fourth World Journal, 12(1), chillymanjaro. (n.d.). Retrieved from people-worldwide-suffer-from-hunger/ Oldewage-Theron, W. H., & Egal, A. (2012). Impact of nutrition education on nutrition knowledge of public school educators in South Africa: A pilot study. Health SA Gesondheid, 17(1), 1-8. doi: /hsag.v17i1.602 Ringler, C. (2010). Climate Change and Hunger: Africa's Smallholder Farmers Struggle to Adapt. Eurochoices, 9(3),