A recent study highlights that climate change has increased the likelihood of extreme heat waves in South Sudan, making February’s heat wave ten times more likely and two degrees Celsius hotter. This has prompted school closures to protect students. Vulnerable populations, particularly children, are at greater risk, and urgent adaptation strategies are needed given the region’s historical instability and climate challenges.
A recent study by World Weather Attribution has revealed that climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of extreme heat waves in South Sudan. Specifically, the findings indicate that the recent February heat wave in the capital city has become ten times more probable and two degrees Celsius hotter due to climate change, particularly stemming from fossil fuel emissions from wealthier nations. Notably, temperatures in segments of the region reached over 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit).
After a severe heat wave caused numerous students to suffer from heat-related illnesses, South Sudan’s officials temporarily closed schools for two weeks to mitigate risk. This decision is part of a broader trend, as South Sudan has previously closed schools multiple times in response to extreme weather conditions. The analysis employed a combination of weather data and climate models to yield its conclusions, albeit the research is yet to undergo peer review.
The prolonged heat represents a significant threat, particularly for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women. In East Africa, including regions of Kenya and Uganda, extreme heat has prompted public health warnings, urging residents to remain indoors and stay hydrated—an increasingly difficult task where there is limited access to clean water and electricity.
Compounded by a historically tumultuous backdrop marked by civil war and food insecurity, South Sudan exhibits unique vulnerabilities to climate change. For instance, following independence in 2011, the country continues to grapple with the consequences of a civil war that resulted in substantial fatalities and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Joyce Kimutai, affiliated with Imperial College London, emphasized the injustice of climate impacts on nations contributing minimally to global emissions.
The current climate crisis exacerbates existing struggles within South Sudan, where infrastructure remains inadequate and the climate poses direct threats to health and education. Proposed adaptations to mitigate these effects include improving classroom ventilation, increasing greenery, and altering school schedules to minimize disruption. Dr. Kiswendsida Guigma from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center underscored the urgent need for interventions in the education sector to adapt to these extreme conditions.
Looking to the future, the study warns that, with ongoing global warming, such extreme heat events could occur every decade if temperatures continue to rise. Furthermore, if warming doubles by century’s end, the frequency of such heat waves may escalate to an annual occurrence. Continuous high temperatures are anticipated to persist in the region, significantly impacting the lives of South Sudanese citizens well into the upcoming months.
In summary, climate change has dramatically intensified the frequency and severity of heat waves in South Sudan, with recent findings indicating that such phenomena are now ten times more likely due to global warming. Vulnerable populations face heightened risks, necessitating urgent adaptations in public health and educational policies to address the challenges posed by extreme temperatures. Without significant interventions, South Sudan may experience increasingly frequent heat waves, which could severely affect public health and education in the coming years.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
