A new study reveals that human-caused climate change has exacerbated severe floods in Africa, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and the displacement of millions. This analysis highlights the significant impact of global warming on rainfall intensity, particularly in Sudan, as well as calls for urgent action to curb fossil fuel use and improve disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
A recent study has established that climate change, attributed to human activities, has significantly aggravated floods that have led to the loss of hundreds of lives and displaced millions across several African nations, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan, this year. According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group, the ongoing rainy season has created a humanitarian crisis throughout the Sahel region adjacent to the Sahara Desert. The analysis indicates that warming due to fossil fuel emissions intensified the flooding in Sudan and increased the severity of this year’s torrential rains by approximately 5 to 20 percent in the Niger and Lake Chad basins. Clair Barnes, a researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, warned about the persistence of such extreme weather events, stating, “This is only going to keep getting worse if we keep burning fossil fuels.” During a briefing preceding the study’s publication, she elaborated that if global temperatures ascend by two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the occurrence of such downpours could become annual. The study further emphasizes that global warming influences weather patterns beyond merely raising temperatures; the increased heat retained in both the atmosphere and oceans results in more severe storms and downpours. In their assessment, the researchers concentrated on conflict-ridden Sudan, where millions have been displaced and forced into flood-prone areas. They employed modeling to compare weather trends in both our current reality and a hypothetical scenario devoid of human-induced warming. Their findings suggest that intense rainfall events in parts of Sudan have become increasingly heavy and frequent due to climate change, with similar rainfall periods now anticipated approximately every three years at the current warming level of 1.3 degrees Celsius. Izidine Pinto, a co-author of the study from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, expressed grave concerns regarding these findings, asserting, “These results are incredibly concerning” and forecasting that the risk of extreme flooding will continue to rise with every fraction of a degree of warming. Pinto advocated for a significant shift away from fossil fuels ahead of the upcoming COP29 climate summit scheduled in Azerbaijan. In addition, Joyce Kimutai from Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy pointed out the necessity of establishing a loss and damage fund for nations severely affected by climate change. She highlighted that despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, it has been disproportionately impacted by severe weather events. The study indicated that the ramifications of climate change on flooding are intensified by other anthropogenic factors, underscoring the urgent need for improved dam maintenance and investment in advance warning systems.
The study discussed in this article addresses the critical issue of climate change and its detrimental impact on extreme weather patterns, particularly flooding in Africa. As climate change continues to be fueled by human actions, such as reliance on fossil fuels, regions like the Sahel are witnessing increased rainfall and subsequent humanitarian crises. Understanding the role of human-induced climate changes is essential for implementing strategies that may mitigate its effects on vulnerable populations in the affected regions. The insights provided by climate scientists emphasize the urgent need for global cooperation and proactive measures to address the intertwined issues of climate change and natural disasters.
In conclusion, the findings of the World Weather Attribution study reveal a concerning link between climate change and the intensification of flooding in Africa, particularly in nations already grappling with humanitarian crises. As extreme weather events are projected to become more frequent due to ongoing global warming, there is an urgent call for immediate action to reduce fossil fuel dependence and enhance infrastructure to address the impending challenges. The disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, despite its negligible contributions to global emissions, underscores the need for international support and effective mitigation strategies to safeguard vulnerable communities.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
