A recent study has declared that the extreme heatwave that struck West Africa and the Sahel last month, leading to hundreds of deaths, was “impossible” without human-induced climate change.
Unprecedented Temperatures
In March, temperatures in Mali soared above 48C, with researchers pointing to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation as significant contributors to the anomaly. These activities, they report, made temperatures up to 1.4C hotter than what would have been expected naturally.
Heatwave Impact
The severe heat impact was most acutely felt in Mali and Burkina Faso, particularly in southern regions and Bamako, the capital of Mali. Gabriel Toure Hospital in Bamako attributed 102 deaths in the early days of April directly to the scorching temperatures, noting that many victims were over the age of 60.
Scientific Analysis
A detailed analysis by the World Weather Attribution group has indicated that such high daytime and nighttime temperatures could not have occurred without the extensive use of coal, oil, and gas, alongside other contributing factors like deforestation. The study highlighted that climate change not only increased daytime temperatures by up to 1.5C but also made the nights significantly warmer, with an increase of about 2C.
Contrasting Weather Events
While the heatwave’s connection to climate change is clear, a separate study pointed out that the drought in Southern Africa, occurring concurrently, was primarily driven by natural phenomena such as El Niño, rather than climate change.
Also learn about Understanding the Impact of Extreme Heat on the Body and How to Counter It.
