Noboby Puts Africa In A Corner

This post might seem a bit out of context, as it does not give any specific “answer” to climate change and world challenges. However, I find the article I am presenting here to be of great interest in the light of the recent G7 in Taormina, Italy. 

Leaving Donald Trump’s words aside (media have already spent too much time reporting on Trump’s opinions over climate change), G7 was an opportunity to “think about” Africa. 

Media, such as Deutsche Welle, say that despite being invited to attend the summit, African countries “had little to say about the many challenges facing the continent”. However, this “invitation” was important, at least, to raise awareness and interests over Africa. 

Here comes the article I am presenting that defines the role of Africa in science and research, stating that “over the past five years, Africa’s contributions to the world’s research — that is, new knowledge — have varied from a low of 0.7% to the present and highest level of 1.1%”. Africa’s contribution includes, among others, astronomical research, agriculture, and climate change. 

However, African research is still too small as, for instance, the article says, “at least some of this new knowledge is produced by African scientists working beyond their own countries and continent”. 

Nevertheless, some important contributions are out in the media, as the example of the Senegalese scientists who are monitoring the effects of climate change in the ocean, as reported by Al Jazeera. 

In this sense, also the contribution of the AEEP (Africa-EU Energy Partnership) can play a pivotal role.