As we celebrate #AfricanClimateWeek, (29th to 2nd Sep) let us note that climate change is no longer an environmental/ecological issue but a key developmental issue that cuts through the three pillars of sustainable development including social and economic aspects. Climate change is “any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity” as depicted by IPCC (2018). The long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns are mainly due to human activities (burning of coal, oil, and gas) The greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere are causing global warming. Earth’s temperatures are rising and are now about 1.1 degrees warmer than it was in the 1800s pre-industrial era. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record. Since global efforts are racing behind time, a more radical perspective to achieve the 1.5 global warming targets under the Paris Agreement requires a third of current oil reserves, half the current natural gas reserves, and nearly 90% of current coal must remain underground. For Africa, vulnerabilities are high and adaptive capacity is very low. From a sociological perspective, climate change impacts are not felt at the same degree/scale. The world’s population is not homogenous but socially and culturally diverse, with differing perspectives, adaptive capacity, technology, finances, scale, and impacts as well as knowledge and understanding. The impacts of climate change exacerbate inequalities– and sets disproportionate effects on historically marginalized or underserved communities, especially those that are economically disadvantaged. The global south (Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania), due to their level of ‘development or industrialization, experiences the impacts of climate change to a higher degree than the Northern (developed and industrialized nations, mainly Europe and North America). These impacts are mainly attributable to low adaptive capacity and over-reliance on fragile and climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture. The global south is not homogenous and this heterogeneity must be underscored in climate change discourses including negotiations to improve power balances and tackle inherent social inequity and marginalization. Equally, communities in the global south are highly heterogeneous, culturally different, and occupy different economic and technological scales, hence the need for localized climate actions. Climate actions in Africa should include: a low carbon economy; renewable energy sources; climate-resilient agriculture; and historical responsibility and polluter pays principle to make the North accept responsibility for climate change. Adaptation must address the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Climate finance must deliver resources to help Africa address climate change, and empower communities to pursue adaptation solutions. https://www.citizen.digital/news/african-climate-change-week-officially-launched-n304703