A gathering of scientists, artists and engineers met recently in London to discuss ways of helping Africa deal with the effects of global warming. VOA's Mandy Clark reports from London.

Actress Madam Adelina Ama Boabeng and colleagues demonstrate to a conference how music can convey the message of climate change

Yet, Ghanaian actress Madam Adelina Ama Boabeng says artists are key to spreading the word about global warming. "You ask rural African people about climate change and I'm sure they have no idea at all about what is happening. I think that somebody has to carry that message to the rural folk, someone has to explain it to them in a language that they understand, in a medium that they will understand and relate with and I think that is where the artist comes in."

Julian Hunt is professor of Climate Modeling at University College London. He set out what he believes Africa will face in the coming years.

"The computer models for the next half century and century show progressively rising temperatures,” he says, “which will have a very big impact because already there are countries in Africa that are very hot and quite close to the limits where life and vegetation are adversely affected by higher temperatures."

Severe drought is one of the expected consequence in Africa of climate change

The Ghana High Commissioner to Britain, Annan Cato, says he is frustrated that powerful nations are not seriously tackling the issue. "Those who have contributed the most to global warming seem not to want to take responsibility for what they have done."

To illustrate the impact of greenhouse gases, photographer Nick Cobbing captured the melting of Greenland's iceberg. Artist Roumouald Hazoume used gas canisters in the shape of a slaving boat to represent how pollution is now the continent's new master. Engineers and designers mapped out how they could help curb carbon emissions.

Elsie Owusu

That message of working together was echoed widely at the conference. And many say it is the solution to Africa's climate crisis.