SIPRI's video: Spotlight: Georges Bazongo Tree Aid

As part of the series 'Climate change and security in West Africa', SIPRI interviewed Georges Bazongo, Director of Programmes, Tree Aid. Here, he speaks about the main challenges for West Africa when it comes to climate change and what needs to happen to happen now to create an ideal scenario in the future. Climate change is altering the security landscape on a global scale, with West Africa experiencing the effects at a faster rate than the rest of the world. The regional impact of climate change is compounded by political tensions, violent conflicts and complex humanitarian emergencies. Changing climate conditions are having a direct effect on natural resource availability, biodiversity and agricultural productivity, exacerbating the human security implications of climate change in West Africa. Projections indicate that unprecedented changes in temperatures and precipitation will occur in the region over the next 10–20 years, further exacerbating the situation. Moreover, violent conflicts are escalating and spilling over into neighbouring countries. Given the need for locally anchored analyses and responses to climate-related security risks in West Africa, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa (FES), the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) have interviewed leading experts on these issues. About Spotlight: The Spotlight series is a collection of short, on the spot interviews, captured on occasions where individuals have visited SIPRI for various events, seminars and workshops. The aim of the series is to capture an array of angles and viewpoints that will stimulate further discussions. While these are designed to offer snapshots, the intention is to provide starting points to contribute to continued dialogue to better understand the conditions for peaceful solutions of international conflicts and for a stable peace. https://www.sipri.org/​ Follow: https://twitter.com/SIPRIorg​ Like: https://www.facebook.com/sipri.org​ Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sipri