Africa to show united front on climate
Africa may seek compensation for the damage caused by global warming
The leaders of ten African nations are hoping to agree a common position on climate change before United Nations talks in Copenhagen.
It is thought the meeting, which is being held in Ethiopia, is likely to result in the nations renewing demands up to £40 billion in compensation for the damage climate change has caused to Africa, in addition to a call for rich nations to lower carbon emissions.
Speaking to the BBC, Kenya's environment secretary Alice Kaudia said: "One single country will not solve its environmental problems on its own, it will need partners and that's why it's very important that there's that unified common position."
The nations, which include South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, will also attempt to agree a key set of ideas which would mean that the continent only has to send one delegation to the UN climate change conference in December.
It is hoped that speaking as one will help the nations have a better negotiating position at the event.
Recent research undertaken by a team at Purdue University aimed to quantify the effects of climate change on developing nations and found that urban workers in such countries are likely to be worst affected.
The team stated that extreme weather conditions caused by global warming could affect agricultural productivity and raise the price of staple foods such as grains, forcing urban households into poverty.
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Comments
Interesting story, particularly in relation to other issues such as water security, which highlight the divided versus united approaches.