By Tawanda Mukwekwezeke
Over the past century, Earth has experienced a significant rise in global temperatures, driven largely by human activity and environmental changes. The pace of warming has quickened dramatically in recent decades, with 2023 marking a new high as the warmest year on record, being 2.12°F above the 20th-century average. This remarkable heat reflects the broader trend of rising temperatures, which have had widespread effects on ecosystems, weather patterns, and global health. The last decade has seen the warmest years in recorded history, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change. These shifts highlight the growing challenges we face in managing the impacts of a rapidly warming planet.
Climate change affects people’s lives in poor regions like Niger, as the availability of usable land goes down and water sources become less reliable. Niger is located in the middle of the Sahel, and climate change is even worse in this area, where the temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster than in any other place.
Additionally, climate change has exacerbated flooding during Niger’s rainy season, which usually lasts from May to October. This year’s floods are especially devasting. Several hundred Nigeriens have died and more than 350,000 people have been displaced. Crops have been ruined and livestock have died.
Climate change has a particularly severe impact on agriculture in Niger. Over 80% of Nigeriens depend on agriculture for their livelihood—a livelihood that is being severely threatened by climate change. An arid country to begin with, Niger is far from ideal for raising crops or livestock. And now it’s facing the additional challenges that climate change brings about, such as:
- Soaring temperatures
- Erratic rainfall patterns which lead to increased drought and flooding
- Drying of rivers and other water sources
- Poor soil quality due to erosion
Niger Is Resilient
Fortunately, even with all the difficulties intensified by climate change, Niger’s people are resilient and are constantly working to stay ahead of the potentially devastating effects of global warming. Local community organizations plus various nonprofit groups are strengthening Niger’s resilience in a number of ways:
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices: Utilizing drought resistant seeds and fertilizers, plus implementing micro-irrigation and solar-powered drip irrigation systems that increase crop return by up to 40% while reducing water use.
Creating Food Stores: Filling warehouses with non-perishables like cereals and grains and building small dairy processing facilities so communities have more resources when food is scarce.
Diversifying Income: Training people, especially women, to run small businesses such as creating and selling crafts or trading small goods at market to decrease reliance on agricultural income.
Education/Empowerment: teaching Nigeriens about climate smart practices and providing the resources needed to fight climate change.
Access to Clean Water: Wells Bring Hope and others drill wells to provide access to clean water for drinking and hygiene.
Nigeriens continue to learn and implement climate smart practices, helping to build a brighter future for themselves. By working together to fight climate change, Nigerien communities provide an inspiring example of how progress can be achieved.
Sources
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature
https://www.care-international.org/news/niger-devastating-floods-displace-over-350000-people
