Skip to content

Climate

ICTs to help Africa cope with Climate change

by Paromita Pain 04 Jan 2011
ICTs to help Africa cope with Climate change

Though its contribution to the greenhouse gases is the least, as a country Africa is particularly at risk to the ravages of climate change thanks to its ever present food security issues as well as its vulnerability to floods and droughts. While for most of the world, information technology today means social networking and online games, for much of Africa's populations they may hold the key to security from the risks of climate change.

A new report titled The Information Economy Report 2010: ICT, Enterprises and Poverty Alleviation, the fifth in the flagship series published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), say ICTs may hold the key for helping Africa cope with climate change. An annual publication, this monitors global trends related to information and communication technologies (ICTs) from a development perspective.

Through mobile telephony

UN estimates say the penetration rate of mobile phones in the world's least-developed countries has surged from 2 to 25 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. For Africa this is of special significance. The report indicates even applications installed in smart phones will enable alow-carbon future thanks to reduced emissions and also provide means to implement new approaches to disaster preparedness behavior and adaptation of new ways to monitor the environment. Various sections of the African population has already adapted to the advantages offered by the mobile phone.

Farmers, entrepreneurs and fishermen are now active users of the phone as a key tool to advance their business. Thus the phone can be used as an essential means of conveying important climate and environment related news and assist in disaster warning and preparedness behavior. The Zambia Meteorological Department has recently launched the RANET (radio and internet) project that provides meteorological information to local communities through low-cost technology used for bringing weather, climate, early warning and related information to rural communities through computers and digital radios.

The report also focuses on the on the nexus of ICTs, enterprises and poverty alleviation. Whereas people must be made awareness and there information dissemination is an important aspect of ICTs and the issue of climate change, the report argues that the opportunities technology offers up is much wider and that stakeholders and policy maker must focus on this.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping