9.8.2.6 Health

Most assessments on health have concentrated on malaria, and there are still debates on the attribution of malaria resurgence in some African areas. The need exists to examine the impacts of future climate change on other health problems, e.g., dengue fever, meningitis, etc, and their associated vulnerabilities. There is also an urgent need to begin a dialogue and research effort on the heightened vulnerabilities associated with HIV/AIDS and periods of climate stress and climate change.

9.8.2.7 Agriculture

More regional and local research is still required on a range of issues, such as the study of the relationship between CO₂-enrichment and future production of agricultural crops in Africa, salt-tolerant plants, and other trees and plants in coastal zones. Very little research has been conducted on the impacts of climate change on livestock, plant pests and diseases. The livestock sector is very important in Africa and is considered very vulnerable to climate variability and change. Research on the links between agriculture, land use, and carbon sequestration and agricultural use in biofuels also needs to be expanded.