Sudan Climate Change

SuDan

A story of climate change

Helpful links to expand on the information in this infographic.

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Sudan's climate problems are echoed regionally in Nigeria, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as globally.

regional impact

Many organizations are attempting to aid in fighting the devastating impacts of climate change in Sudan.

mitigation measures

The impact of climate change has had negative consequences for the aquatic and terrestrial life in Sudan.

ecological impact

The humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire owing to the impacts of wars and climate change.

humanitarian impact

Climate change has greatly altered the environmental conditions in Sudan with desertification taking over.

Environmental impact

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• The climatic conditions in Sudan experienced rising temperatures and decreased rainfall.
• 0.8-1.6 degrees Celsius since 1960, up to 3 degrees by 2050.
• Highly variable rainfall that has declined 10 - 30 mm per decade during the rainy season.

• Dry conditions caused increased desertification and the southward expansion of the Sahara Desert into Sudanese territory.
• These harsh conditions have strained resources leading to increased deforestation.
• Severe deforestation has started a cycle where less vegetation results in even less rainfall.

environmental impact

• The growing population coupled with climate change has put a strain on natural resources.
• Increased severity and frequency of droughts and highly unpredictable floods have destroyed the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists.
• Caused increased competition for land and water, resulting in civil conflicts.
• Harsh growing conditions have decreased food security.
• This has led to severe famine and loss of life.
• The pressure on civilians has exacerbated ongoing politico-economic wars, furthering human safety and security concerns.
• There is also disproportionality in the impacts whereby women are marginalized and feel the effects more severely.
• Decreased rainfall has also resulted in reduced water availability for irrigation, drinking, and sanitation.
• Increased exposure to vector- and water-borne diseases.
• All of these impacts have led to mass emigration and displacement.

Humanitarian impact

• Drier and hotter conditions have resulted in locust infestation of crops.
• Reduced rainfall has reduced river discharge and groundwater, negatively affecting the aquatic ecosystem of the Nile.
• Decrease in vegetation growth has strained the base of the food web.
• Deforestation has destroyed many natural habitats.

ecological impact

• In 2018, the EU-UNEP partnership on Climate Change and Security established a pilot project in the Wadi El Ku catchment area of North Darfur State, Sudan to promote sustainable and climate-resilient livelihood options for vulnerable groups.
• Aimed at combatting the marginalization of women to improve sustainable farming efforts and food and economic security.
• Strengthened climate-resilient agricultural practices through diversifying crops towards more drought-resistant varieties and capacity building of agricultural extension workers.
• 70% of farmers who have received drought-tolerant seeds were women.
• Improved access to veterinary services to improve animal health for pastoralists and farmers and established community-owned animal drug centers.
• Enhanced access to weather information through the installation of 4 rain gauges in target communities.
• New weather system that broadcasts weather information on the radio, as well as information on which crops to plant and when.
• Rehabilitation of community forests together with the National Pasture and Forest Cooperation, the project helped to establish four community forests that provide multiple livelihoods and environmental benefits, as well as protection against soil erosion and positive long-term impacts on the local climate.
• Efforts center on resilience-building through improved agricultural practices and renewable energy amidst ongoing civil war.
• The International Climate Initiative (IKI) Project aims to improve understanding and integration of climate-environment risk planning by improving clean energy access, proper waste management, and encouraging reforestation.

mitigation measures

• Neighboring countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel experience a similar climate and impacts.
• Droughts, erratic rainfall, and strong winds cause desertification in the arid land of Somalia resulting in loss of agricultural output, famine, and civil unrest.
• In Nigeria, climate change has caused the desert to encroach on northern pastures, erratic rainfall and drought threaten farmlands, and rising global sea levels are consuming areas along the coastline.
• A 0.5 m rise in sea level could force 27-53 million Nigerians along the shore to relocate by the end of the century.
• In Chad, heavy rainfall in recent decades has resulted in rivers overflowing and severe flash flooding.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, increased unpredictability with flood and drought events has resulted in the loss of agricultural output, paired with constant internal fighting, famine has ravaged the nation.
• Drought is currently affecting 24 million Ethiopians in what is the sixth year without a rainy season.

regional impact

• Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H., & Younis, I. (2022, April 4). A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures - environmental science and Pollution Research. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6
• Burns, J. J. (2017). Preventing the World’s Next Refugee Crisis: Famine, Conflict, and Climate Change in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. American Security Project. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep06035
• Climate change could render Sudan ‘uninhabitable’ | CNN. (n.d.-a). https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/07/africa/sudan-climate-change/index.html
• Environment, U. (n.d.). Climate change and adaptation. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/sudan/climate-change-and-adaptation#:~:text=Climate%20change%20affects%20all%20aspects,desertification%20of%20millions%20of%20hectares.
• Iberdrola. (2021, April 22). ¿Cuáles son los países más amenazados y vulnerables por el Cambio Climático? https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/top-countries-most-affected-by-climate-change
• Iki Project - an international climate initiative - eecentre. (n.d.-b). https://eecentre.org/2019/05/01/iki-project/
• Sahel | Location, facts, map, & desertification | britannica. (n.d.-c). https://www.britannica.com/place/Sahel
• Sudan nap.pdf. (n.d.-d). https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/NAPC/Documents NAP/National Reports/Sudan NAP.pdf
• Sudans Post. (2020, November 14). Opinion: The growing crisis of desertification in South Sudan. https://www.sudanspost.com/opinion-the-growing-crisis-of-desertification-in-south-sudan/
• Tchie, A. E. Y., Grand, A. O., & Tarif, K. (2021). Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: South Sudan. Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep30678
• UNEP. (n.d.-e). https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/7712/-Sudan Post-Conflict Environment Assessment-2007781.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
• United Nations. (n.d.). Sudan’s displaced millions face escalating hardship amid war and floods | UN news. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/08/1153026
• Zakieldeen, S. A. (2009). Adaptation to Climate Change: A Vulnerability Assessment for Sudan. International Institute for Environment and Development. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep01362

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