Climate Change in Somalia: A Growing Threat to Stability and Livelihoods

At the beginning of 2023 I joined Astan team, as a head of Nabaad, where I produce and present the program dedicated to exploring the environmental challenges in Somalia. This role gives me a deep understand of the heart of Somali’s climate crisis, and providing into the realities on the ground.

I did not have a lot of knowledge about climate change and before this program I had not worked in a program related to environmental issues and climate change. before Astaan ​​I was in the national media for at least three years, after I came to Astana, I decided to move a bit towards environmental issues, so I tried to create a story about environmental issues and climate change and to attend the places where environmental issues and climate change are discussed and also to participate in Zoom meetings related to climate change issues that take place inside and outside of the country.

These things made it easier for me to understand a little about the environment, which enables me to make stories and programs related to climate change outside of Mogadishu, which was the center of Astaan where I was working, the media working in Somalia is not making any programs about climate change this is allowed me to be the only journalist who talks about these issues which is a serious problem in my country where my people do not have much knowledge to deal with this problem both manmade and natural, which caused foreign journalists and government agencies to request the reports we released to the Astaan media.

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has long faced challenges like political instability, conflict, and food insecurity. Recently, climate change has begun another looming threat to exacerbate these existing problems, posing a significant threat to the country’s environment, economy, and stability. This article explores the impact of climate change on Somalia and discusses the urgent need for adaptation and mitigate measures.

Somali’s Global Challenge

Somalia is in the country that doesn’t significantly contribute to air pollution, as it lacks major polluting industries. However, Somalia it’s one of the most victims affected by climate change. During his visit to Baidoa on April 2023, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, stated that Somalia is a victim of climate change. He noted that Somalia’s contribution to air pollution was only 0.003%, a very small figure compared to the emissions from industrialized countries.

Changing Climate Patterns

Climate change is an urgent global concern that transcends national boundaries. Its effects are widespread and have an impact on both industrialized and developing countries. This article focuses on Somalia, a country particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of global warming. The climate in Somalia ranges from semi-arid to desert, with wildly fluctuating patterns of rainfall. Due to its reliance on pastoralism and rain-fed agriculture, the nation is especially susceptible to changes in the environment.

Recently, Somalia experienced more frequent and severe droughts, often linked to climate change, leading food insecurity and economic hardship due to reduced crop yields and livestock losses brought on irregular rainfall patterns and extended dry seasons. Consequently, the nation has encountered recurrent famines and humanitarian emergencies, exacerbating the already difficult political and security circumstances.

Rising Temperatures and Sea Levels

Apart from modified patterns of precipitation, Somalia has been facing increasing temperatures and sea levels, which hold significant implications for the nation.

Increased evaporation rates and soil degradation are caused by higher temperatures, which lowers the productivity of agricultural land. This makes food insecurity worse and pushes rural communities to migrate to cities in pursuit of better opportunities, adding to the stress already placed on already overburdened cities and depleting their resources.

Somalia’s coastline and coastal towns are in danger due to the rising sea levels. Roads, houses, and schools are among the infrastructure that is being harmed by increased flooding and erosion, which is also poisoning freshwater supplies with saltwater. This causes additional community displacement and increases the number of internally displaced individuals living in the nation.

Impact on Livelihoods

In Somalia, conventional means of subsistence have been impacted by climate change, especially for farmers and pastoralists who rely on rain-fed agriculture. Long-term droughts have caused the loss of cattle, which is many Somalis’ main source of income and nutrition. Communities have become more competitive for resources and have occasionally engaged in violent confrontations as a result of displacement brought on by climate-related challenges.

Political instability is a result of factors like increasing competition for resources and the loss of livelihoods that exacerbate already-existing tensions and disputes in the nation. In certain instances, the relocation brought on by climate change has also made people more susceptible to radical recruiting.

The Climate Change in Somalia is increasing and a strong challenge for pastoralists, farmers and business in Somalia. From Jan in 2023 to October 2023 was working on Astaan television, by producer and the program presenter called Nabaad which focuses on environment and climate change. The duration I have been under the program I also had data collection on climate and environmental issues in Somalia that helped me to understand more about climate change.

I interviewed the program with expertise and knowledge of climate and environmental change issues, environmental activities, educational institutions, educators and Prof. Academy of the universities in particular in the area and the climate change and students who study environmental sciences and climate changes as well as government officials for example, deputy minister government and lawmakers. Most of the interviews and the data I collected and the funds that Somalia has a severe climate change in the last day of the day.

National and international responses

Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, former presidential envoy for Somali’s drought response, articulated a detailed response strategy at World Economic Forum. AA Warsame has pointed out 4 points to go to Somalia or fight the climate change

Warsame said in the first point that Somalia should spread the development to overcome the severe food shortage in the country, He said that if progress is made, the World Bank’s assessment that 69% of Somalis live below the poverty line will decrease. I agree with Warsame that emphasis should be placed on agriculture, but it is worth asking how to encourage Somali farmers to invest while some of the crops that were available in the country are imported from abroad which is disappointing for Somali farmers. In the second point, Warsame said that it is an international investment in Somali agriculture, of course, it is another factor that if implemented would increase the production of agricultural products in Somalia because Somalia is a fertile land in terms of agriculture even though our country is semi-arid

Warsame said the third point is access to Agricultural Technology (AT), this point is shared by most African countries as the continent has not yet made good progress in terms of Agricultural Technology (AT) which has affected agricultural production across the African continent. In the last point, Warsame mentioned that it is necessary for the institutions of the country to look at agriculture and its production, I think this point is more important than international investment, most of Somalia’s national institutions do not invest in agriculture, instead they invest in land, which has caused the land in Somalia to become more expensive.

During the data collection I visited the cities of Balad and Afgoye, unlucky is the people who were surprised by the people who are not prepared for the climate change, and most people have nothing to cut the climate change most of the people’s awareness of environmental issues are the lowest place that can hose the risk as an unknown, for example, once I was in Afgoe, I visited the passage of the river that the people passing is normal due to a drought the things that I am very surprised is that people have lumped the waste in the river that can result in two risks; Diseases resulting from the pollution and the second to make it easier to flood when the rains come.

So what should the Somali community and the government do? Knowledge of poor weather change is essential to receive many universities that provide this field, increase community awareness using training, that governments are seriously face this dangerous, to obtain laws to carry out environmental to do this work and other importunities it is necessary to be based on research in facts.

Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts

Like many impoverished countries, Somalia has enormous obstacles when it comes to mitigating the effects of climate change. It is challenging to put into practice efficient adaptation and mitigation strategies due to a lack of infrastructure, political unpredictability, and limited resources. Still, there are a few actions that can be done:

1. Strengthening Resilience: Building resilience in vulnerable communities through drought-resistant crops, sustainable land management practices, and improved water harvesting techniques can mitigate some of the adverse effects of climate change.
2. Early Warning Systems: Developing and implementing early warning systems for extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, can help communities prepare and respond effectively.
3. Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about climate change and its effects is crucial. Education programs can empower communities to take adaptive measures and reduce their carbon footprint.
4. International Support: Somalia requires international support and assistance to address climate change effectively. International aid and technology transfer can help the country build adaptive capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Millions of people’s lives are already being impacted by the terrible reality of climate change in Somalia, which is not some far-off threat. This vulnerable country’s already-existing problems such as food shortages, displacement, and political instability are getting worse due to a mix of unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and sea level rise. In order to address the effects of climate change in Somalia, build resilience, and promote sustainable development that can aid the nation in navigating these difficult times, immediate action is required at the local, national, and international levels. Failing to do so could have disastrous effects on the stability and prosperity of Somalia in the future. Somalia must deal with negative climate change impacts that are not their doing.

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Author By: Abdikadir M. Hassan

M.A of Journalism and Communication

Contact: Amh.hassan3@gmail.com

Disclaimer: This article & others appearing on the Public Opinion segment are exclusive to the author of the story and do not in any way reflect the views of Mustaqbal Media.