The Politics of Climate Change in Africa: Key Issues and Debates

This engaging discussion will address the politics and the impacts of climate change in West Africa, exploring key issues, debates, and the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation. Participants will delve into the complexities of climate change in the region and in Africa as a whole, examining the challenges faced by African nations in balancing economic growth with the need for environmental sustainability. This multidisciplinary event aims to shed light on the critical questions that arise from the development-environment paradox in Africa, exploring the many factors at play in efforts to design innovative approaches to addressing climate change while ensuring sustainable and inclusive development.

Panelists: 

1. Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, rector of the Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal and development economist
2. Aaron Salzberg, director of the Water Institute and Don and Jennifer Holzworth Distinguished Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
3. Bisa Williams (in residence in fall), former U.S. ambassador to Niger, former deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of African Affairs and foreign affairs consultant

Moderator: Ada Umenwaliri, associate director of the African Studies Center and international development professional

This event is organized by the African Studies Center in collaboration with the Water Institute and the Diplomacy Initiative of the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs.