The world has experienced increased impacts of anthropogenic global warming due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which include carbon dioxide (CO2). Anthropogenic activities that contribute to CO2 emissions include deforestation, usage of fertilizers, and activities related to mining and energy production. The main objective of this paper was to assess the impacts of agriculture and energy production on CO2 emissions in Zambia. This research used econometric analysis, specifically the Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds Test, to analyze the relationship between CO2 emissions and GDP, electricity consumption, agricultural production, and industry value added. The results showed the presence of cointegration, where the variables of CO2 emissions, GDP, electricity, and agriculture converge to a long-run equilibrium at the rate of 74%. Further, there was a short-run causality towards CO2 emissions running from agriculture and the consumption of energy as indicated by the Wald test. This is the first study of its kind that empirically shows the impact of agricultural activities and energy consumption on the Zambian environment through their contribution to CO2 emissions at a macro (country) level. This paper also presents recommendations that are pertinent to mitigate these effects. To deescalate environmental degradation, we propose increasing the number of access points for multiple renewable energy sources across the country; discouraging deforestation, the usage of conventional fertilizers, and the burning of vegetation for fertilizers; encouraging afforestation and reforestation, in addition to providing subsidies, training, and financial support to farmers and entrepreneurs who decide to use environmentally friendly agricultural methods and renewable energy. This research highlights the serious impacts of anthropogenic activities on CO2 emissions. The study was intended to assist Zambian policymakers in formulating and implementing environmentally friendly policy measures or systems that will contribute towards environmental protection commitments and sustainable economic development.

No abstract

Southern Africa is one of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable regions with severe barriers to its sustainable development. We strived to understand here the patterns and drivers of social vulnerability to natural hazards in Namibia, which is the most arid sub-Saharan country with large social inequalities. We used a total of 12 indicators that characterized social, economic and demographic settings of the 14 districts in the country. Further, we evaluated the countrywide pattern of most relevant natural hazards, including wildfires, floods and drought. We identified the main factors driving social vulnerability in the districts, and we evaluated how the socio-economic fitness of populations coincided with the distribution of high-hazard areas. We found that populations with the poorest socio-economic performance were mostly distributed in the country’s northern districts, which are also exposed to the highest frequency and severity of natural hazards, particularly to floods and wildfires. This coincidence of highly sensitive populations with high exposure to hazards renders these populations particularly vulnerable. That the frequency of natural hazards increases with climate change, and implementation of programs enhancing the social resilience is insufficient, underscores the urgency of actions targeted at the priority areas identified herein.

Climate change impacts on ecosystems and adaptation options in nine countries in southern Africa: What do we know? Ecosphere 12(12):e03860.

No abstract