Background:
In 2003, PACOM (the Pan African START Committee) considered the need for synthesizing all available scientific knowledge on global environmental change in Africa, and recommended that a book volume be written by young African scientists. Consequently, Dr. Luanne Otter (PACOM member) of the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, was tasked to lead the effort over the next 18-24 months.

In collaboration with 14 African scientists, Dr. Otter has developed an outline of the book. Individual scientists have been tasked to write specific sections. A workshop of contributors took place 2 - 6 November 2004, at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. At the workshop the draft papers were reviewed. We anticipate publication of the book volume in June 2007.

The official title of the volume is: "Global Change Processes and Impacts in Africa: A Synthesis"

For more information, contact:
Dr. Luanne Otter
Senior Research Scientist
Climatology Research Group
University of the Witwatersrand
Tel: +27-11-717-6533
Fax: +27-11-717-6535
Email: luanne@crg.bpb.wits.ac.za

Or:
Charles S. Kauffman
Email: cskauffman@agu.org