Could efforts to cope with climate change losses help battle other shocks as well?

That seems to be the case in Kenya, where some farmers who are trying to find reliable, lower-carbon ways to grow more food are turning away from expensive mineral-based fertilizers just as global supplies are running short due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Others are trying to better harness limited rainfall and protect soils, moves that could shore up food security no matter what crisis comes next - a climate shock, natural disaster, pandemic or war, agricultural experts say.

"It is not much, but it helps in reducing the risk of losses," noted James Mugambi, who as part of a farmers' group trying to adapt to climate change now plants his corn, beans and other crops sooner, to take advantage of early rainfall.

In South Africa, the need for to prepare more effectively for climate threats is clear after deluge-driven floods roared through the eastern city of Durban last week, claiming at least 440 lives.

"This is a teachable moment," said Christopher Trisos, a South African lead author of a sobering report on climate risks and adaptation, released in February by the world's top climate scientists.

That Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) analysis found 90% of African cities don't yet have substantial adaptation plans, something Trisos called "extremely concerning".

Durban in 2020 released a new climate action plan that aims to cut the city's flood risk, among other changes - but activists have complained there is little evidence so far it is being implemented.

The United States is also battling worsening climate change impacts - though many residents of Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay, who are losing their homes to encroaching seawater, don't see it that way.

Backers of former U.S. President Donald Trump, they don't regard warming temperatures as a problem - but are irritated more money and effort are going into protecting a wildlife reserve in neighbouring Maryland than strengthening defenses for their Virginia island, home to about 400 people.

The battle over how the limited funds available to protect land threatened by higher sea levels are spent is one sure to be played out over and over around the world as oceans - and the climate-changing emissions driving the problem - continue to rise, scientists warn.

See you next week!

Laurie

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