How did these human activities amplify the deadly African heatwave and Southern Africa drought?

As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase, particularly in regions such as Africa, understanding the causes of these phenomena becomes critical. How do human activities amplify lethal heatwaves and disastrous droughts, and what efforts may be taken to limit their effects?

The facts

A severe heatwave struck numerous Sahel and West African countries, with southern Mali and Burkina Faso bearing the brunt of the impact.

The Gabriel-Toure Hospital in Bamako, Mali, recorded 102 deaths in the first few days of April, with many deceased over the age of 60, citing heat as a major cause.

Scientists from the World Weather Attribution Group connected the heatwave’s intensity to global climate change, finding that temperatures in Mali and Burkina Faso were up to 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than average.

The same committee listed human activities including long-term use of coal, oil, and gas, as well as deforestation, as contributing to rising temperatures.

Climate models predict that as global temperatures rise, heatwaves like the one that recently occurred in Mali will become more common, with potentially disastrous effects.

In contrast to the heatwave, southern African countries experienced a severe drought earlier this year, resulting in crop failures and water shortages, particularly in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

The arguments

Researchers attributed the drought to the El Niño weather phenomena rather than direct repercussions from climate change, underscoring the multiple elements impacting extreme weather events.

South Africa’s drought situation

Also, droughts are especially destructive in South Africa, where water scarcity is a chronic problem compounded by climate unpredictability and ineffective resource management.

South Africa’s vulnerability to drought, for instance, is exacerbated by variables such as high climatic unpredictability, rural poverty, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and weak infrastructure for managing water resources.

Human activities worsening

Human actions, such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, are exacerbating extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts, endangering human health, agriculture, and ecosystems.

While the immediate effects of droughts and heatwaves are obvious, the long-term repercussions, such as food shortages, economic losses, and social disturbance, are as concerning and frequently underestimated.

Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of droughts and heatwaves, endangering South Africa’s growth and the well-being of its people, particularly the most vulnerable communities.

Enhancing resilience

Addressing the underlying causes of climate change and implementing proactive measures, such as switching to renewable energy, improving water resource management, and increasing resilience to extreme weather events, are critical for mitigating the effects of droughts and heatwaves in South Africa and elsewhere.

Urgent action is required at the national and international levels to limit global warming and build adaptive ability to deal with the increasing threats posed by climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for all.