The African continent extends from about 35° N to about 35° S latitude straddling the equator. This particular geography determines its climate regimes – mostly tropical and subtropical with extensive arid and semiarid zones around 20° N and 20° S. In some parts of the continent the regional climate, in particular annual rainfall, is highly variable. Many countries are prone to recurrent droughts, others to flooding. As a consequence Africa is highly vulnerable to additional climate stresses. It is ironic that the continent which – owing to its low industrialization – has contributed least to the projected man-induced global warming should be suffering the most from it.

The problem is exacerbated by population pressure: Africa is the continent with the highest population growth rate in the world. It is further exacerbated by widespread poverty which limits the capability for adaptation.

It is therefore all the more important to take a close look at the environmental and economic problems facing the African continent in the context of global warming. This book is an important step in this direction. It addresses many of the pertinent issues in environmental science, such as the prediction of the regional climates, droughts and desertification, sea-level rise, biomass burning and its role in the emission of trace gases, and tropical photochemistry. In similar detail it also addresses the questions of sustainable energy development, and vulnerability and adaptation.