Voices of the Continent Dr Diaa Al Qusy 06 09 2026

Episode Overview: Voices of the Continent — Climate Change and Africa

This episode examines how climate change is affecting Africa, why the continent is impacted disproportionately, and what realistic responses are possible.

Disproportionate impact, different responsibility

The guest water expert argues that African countries are not responsible for climate change, noting that the largest shares of fossil-fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions come from industrialized countries—especially the US, China, India, and Europe.

As a result, Africa’s role is framed as primarily adaptation rather than mitigation. However, the episode stresses that adaptation is costly and difficult for developing states.

Loss of “lungs of the continent” (forests) and rainfall disruption

The discussion highlights the Congo Basin and West African forests as key to environmental stability. The guest claims that deforestation and logging are accelerating, and cites a warning attributed to a French president: the Earth has “two lungs”—Congo and Amazon—and cutting them will cause global harm.

Warming already surpassing earlier baselines

The episode links climate impacts to the claim that average temperatures have exceeded about 1.5°C compared with earlier decades (with the 1940s–50s mentioned). It also points to health consequences, including the idea that heat waves are causing deaths, with Europe referenced as an example.

Ecosystem collapse and cascading effects

Climate and land-use change are presented as interconnected. The guest describes a chain reaction:

• Forest loss leads to loss of rainfall and wildlife
• Removing trees exposes land, increasing soil erosion, landslides, and sediment runoff
• The guest compares the risk to disasters such as soil sliding in Nepal, arguing Africa faces similar dangers in vulnerable regions

Water pollution and food-chain threats

Runoff is described as polluting lakes, with Lake Victoria mentioned. Fish are presented as vulnerable because they require clearer water, while sediment-heavy runoff and debris are framed as direct threats to aquatic life.

Human health and disease spread

The guest emphasizes climate change as a human health crisis, referencing Ebola in Congo as spreading rapidly and suggesting that broader life across the region is being affected.

Economic and governance constraints

The episode argues that adaptation demands major investment, leaving poor farmers to bear the impact directly. It also claims governments cannot afford the billions of dollars required for large-scale adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Mention of solutions (not developed)

The program signals a shift toward “indigenous/African solutions,” but the clip ends abruptly due to a live transmission for the prime minister.

Presenters or Contributors

• Host / Presenter: Not clearly shown (described as: “Welcome back. Still with you on Voices of the Continent…”)
• Guest: Dr. Dia Okusi
  • Referred to as a water expert
  • Name appears inconsistently in subtitles as “Dr. Diaa Al Qusy” / “Dr. Dia Okusi”