Population, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development in Africa

Ndirangu Ngunjiri, University of Nairobi
Elizabeth Mwende Kingoo, University of Nairobi

This study examines population, climate change, and sustainable development within and around the African forests. The main objective of the study is to critically examine the relationship between the population, climate change, and sustainable development. Both secondary and primary data were employed to study the links between population growth and climate changes around the forest. The study findings reveal that climate changes are led by human actions. The study concludes that the areas around the forests are experiencing rapid climate changes, including recurrent and persistent drought periods and rainfall variability. These changes in the local climate pose unprecedented implications for the sustainable development of the country and the region that depends on the forest complex. The study recommends that while dealing with climate change issues, national policies are guided by taking into consideration addressing population growth dimensions as a major threat to forest lands.