6 African climate change science researchers awarded AIMS grants

"Climate change is affecting all facets of society, contributing to lower agricultural productivity, a greater burden of diseases, and forced migration, among other consequences. African scientists, like the selected grantees, have a crucial role to play in providing solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. The small research grants programme hopes to facilitate the provision of such solutions," said Prof. Wilfred Ndifon, AIMS director of research.

The AIMS Small Research Grants in Climate Change is part of the Mathematical Science for Climate Change Resilience (MS4CR) programme which is made possible by a grant from Canada's International Development Research Centre, with the support of Global Affairs Canada and administered by AIMS.

Clean energy projects

The six grantees were selected through a rigorous review and selection process. Their projects will include among others: developing localised 'clean energy' models for off-grid applications in rural communities. This will increase access to a sustainable supply of 'clean energy', especially because such communities usually lack access to grid electricity or are unable to afford electricity.

Additionally, off-grid energy reduces greenhouse gas emission through a reduction in the usage of hazardous fossil fuel-powered technologies (coal, natural gas, or petroleum) for energy production. Off-grid energy technologies can therefore significantly lower health risk, reduce energy prices and improve livelihoods.

Additional projects will investigate the effects of climate change on the yields of important cash crops (coffee and tea) in Rwanda, and how best farmers in Nigeria can sustainably adapt to climate change etc.

Over the next four years, 16 small research grants will be awarded to outstanding early career African researchers to fund projects that can contribute to strengthening climate change resilience on local and/or global scales.