A recent study indicates that human-caused climate change has intensified flooding in Africa, leading to significant loss of life and displacement. Specifically, in Sudan and surrounding Sahel nations, fossil fuel-driven warming has resulted in heavier rainfalls and worsened humanitarian crises. Experts emphasize the growing risks of future flooding events and advocate for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience strategies.
Human-induced climate change has significantly intensified flooding events across several African nations this year, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives and the displacement of millions in countries including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan. A recent study released by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) network of scientists highlights that warming primarily driven by fossil fuel consumption has exacerbated the flooding in Sudan, contributing to a humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region. The WWA analysis finds that climate change has increased the intensity of rainfall in the Niger and Lake Chad basins, estimating that this year’s downpours could be 5 to 20 percent stronger than they would have been without human-induced warming. Clair Barnes from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London warned, “This is only going to keep getting worse if we keep burning fossil fuels,” stressing that such extreme rainfall patterns may occur annually if global temperatures rise by two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The study underlines a critical relationship between global warming and severe weather patterns, as the additional heat within the atmosphere leads to heightened rainfall and storm activity. In a context where Sudan is grappling with conflict, the study reveals that climate change has rendered periods of intense rainfall not only heavier but also more frequent, with expectations of similar rainfall events occurring approximately every three years at the current 1.3 degrees Celsius of warming. Izidine Pinto, a prominent researcher from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, remarked that these findings are “incredibly concerning,” forewarning that every slight increase in the planet’s temperature elevates the risk of extreme flooding. Pinto urged global leaders to prioritize the transition away from fossil fuels at the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. Joyce Kimutai, also from Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy, highlighted the pressing need for developing countries vulnerable to climate impacts to establish a loss and damage fund, particularly emphasizing that Africa, despite its minimal global carbon footprint, endures some of the harshest impacts of climate change. Moreover, the researchers emphasized that the adverse effects of climate change on flooding are further exacerbated by a range of human-influenced situations, advocating for enhanced dam infrastructure maintenance and investment in early warning systems to better prepare affected regions.
In recent years, Africa has been increasingly affected by extreme weather events largely attributed to climate change. The Sahel region, in particular, has faced severe flooding that has not only caused immediate loss of life but also long-term humanitarian crises, displacing millions and escalating already complex socio-political issues. The reliance on fossil fuels continues to drive global warming, leading researchers to delve into the direct impacts these practices have on weather patterns, particularly in regions grappling with multiple climate vulnerabilities.
The findings from the World Weather Attribution study underscore the escalating threat climate change poses in exacerbating flooding crises, particularly in vulnerable regions of Africa. With hundreds of deaths and millions displaced, immediate action is necessary to address the underlying causes of climate change and provide support for affected nations. The call for a transition away from fossil fuels, alongside improved infrastructure and warning systems, is integral to mitigating future risks associated with extreme weather events.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
