Map of Africa

In Africa...

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HABITAT?

  This spring, bad weather in Africa has been making life hard for people and animals. In the central African country of Mozambique, there has been so much rain that floods have washed away people's homes, and animals can't live in their usual habitat.

  Meanwhile, farmers' crops across the Horn of Africa have dried up because of lack of rain, called a drought. Cyclones, named Eline and Gloria, roared across southeastern Africa.

   In northern Africa, forest fires burned out of control in the African country of Ethiopia. Hot, gusty winds have fueled a man-made fire that burned near a national park containing some of the continent's rarest mammals, such as the Simien Fox and the Mountain Nyala (type of antelope).

   Scientists say the weather is different than usual because the 

earth is in a period of global warming. One reason for global warming is air pollution. Scientists  say cars, trucks, and factories put pollution into the air (called greenhouse gases from fossil fuels) which can cause global warming. Global warming can change the world's weather patterns so that weather men and  women (called meteorologists) can't predict the weather very well.

  Africa is a big country, but it is hard on people, farm animals, and wildlife when the weather is bad in so many places. Families had to be rescued from the floodwater with helicopters. They were taken to safe areas where caring people provided food and shelter for them. When the floodwaters go down, they can return and rebuild their homes. The wild animals try to get to better ground that is safe from fire and floodwater, but it can be hard for them to find food.

  How can we help? We can support relief efforts in Africa and encourage people to use energy sources that are non-polluting and safe.