REVIEWING RESILIENCE STRATEGIES FOR HEALTH IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY: GUINEA'S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Climate change, predominantly driven by human activities like fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, intensifies greenhouse gas concentrations, thereby accelerating global warming (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2022). This phenomenon manifests in rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and heightened frequency and severity of extreme weather events, all of which significantly impact human health worldwide. Tropical developing nations, including Guinea, face heightened risks from these climatic shifts (WHO, 2022). Guinea, in West Africa, exhibits pronounced vulnerability to climate change due to multiple factors: dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, dense urban populations, inadequate infrastructure, and constrained healthcare systems (African Development Bank Group, 2018). These vulnerabilities exacerbate the challenges posed by climate-related health impacts, compromising the country’s overall health resilience and well-being. Geographically, Guinea features diverse topographical and climatic zones that further amplify its susceptibility to climate-related health issues. Figure 1 illustrates this diversity, showcasing elevated terrains predominant in the Fouta Djallon region contrasted with lower elevations along the coastline, notably in Conakry (World Bank, 2017; Climate Risk Profile: Guinea 2018).