“We came to the Serengeti expecting to document wildlife, to see for ourselves one of Earth’s most incredible wonders. But we quickly realized we were witnessing something far more urgent. Climate change is so far away from a buzzword here,” writes Andi Cross.

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By Andi Cross

There is a moment when you arrive in the Serengeti that feels like stepping into a wildlife documentary you’ve seen before. The landscape is iconic – vast plains stretch endlessly, punctuated by rocky kopjes and lone acacia trees. Herds graze in the distance under a soft haze of heat, and for a second, it feels like time slows down. But that illusion does not last long.

Upon our arrival here, local experts informed us that things were noticeably off. The rains had lingered longer than they should have. Patches of mud clung to the tires as we made our way into the bush, even though this was supposed to be dry season. The air was heavier than expected, and the usual rhythms of this famed place – particularly the Great Migration – were said to be scattered. The wildebeest, according to those who know this park intimately, were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Elephants lingered near areas they typically avoided this time of year, while water pooled in places that should have been bone-dry.

We came to the Serengeti expecting to document wildlife, to see for ourselves one of Earth’s most incredible wonders. But we quickly realized we were witnessing something far more urgent. Climate change is so far away from a buzzword here. It is something extremely visible – shaping the land, shifting age-old migration patterns, and leaving the area’s experts with more questions than answers. Here, no one is afraid to talk about it.

The Serengeti, like so many parts of the world, is in a state of transition. This visit starkly illustrated that even Earth’s most legendary wilds are not immune to human impact.Spanning approximately 30,000 square kilometers across northern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya, the Serengeti is one of the last remaining strongholds of a truly wild, large-scale ecosystem. This region supports an extraordinary range of biodiversity – from the “Big Five” to over 500 species of birds, countless insect varieties, and even microorganisms that keep its ancient soils fertile. It is the only place where large-scale terrestrial migration still occurs with such size and consistency. But that balance has become increasingly unstable.

A critical artery within this ecosystem is the Mara River. Originating in Kenya’s highlands, the river cuts through the Serengeti before eventually feeding into Lake Victoria. It is the only perennial river in the northern Serengeti, and without it, the Great Migration as we know it would not be possible. Wildebeest, zebras, elephants, and predators all rely on this water source, particularly during the dry season. 

In recent years, however, the Mara River has become increasingly threatened. Prolonged droughts, paired with deforestation, agricultural expansion, and dam development in the upper basin, are dramatically reducing its flow and ecological function​. A weakened river disrupts migration paths, strains predator-prey dynamics, and jeopardizes the survival of species that depend on predictable water access​.

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are also shifting the patterns of life here. Once predictable seasonal cycles are now interrupted. Invasive plant species like Aspilia and Kakiweed now thrive unexpectedly, overtaking the native vegetation. Guides from the Elewana Collection, who champion sustainable tourism throughout Kenya and Tanzania, flagged concerns about how these changes might be affecting animals like elephants, who now forage plants we do not fully understand. But are they adjusting, or unknowingly consuming something harmful? The Serengeti is still breathtaking and powerful in presence. But underneath its beauty, the system is straining – and those who call this place home feel it every day.

The Great Migration is often described as one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet. And we can safely say, the version we saw of it, certainly is. 

Over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelope, move across the Serengeti and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of water and grazing grounds. And the true scale is hard to grasp until you are dead in the center of it. Until dust rises from the plains as hooves stampede past, all because a cheetah and its cub are on the hunt. That is when you realize you are witnessing something ancient unfold in real time. But Elewana’s Pioneer Camp, sitting in the center of it all, could not help but admit that what we were seeing was a far cry from business as usual out here on the Serengeti. 

Instead of tracking north during the dry season, large groups lingered in the western corridor, pulled by unexpected, heavy rainfall and delayed dry conditions. Some herds made it to the Maasai Mara as they usually do, but once there, they did not stay long. They turned around almost as quickly as they arrived, backtracking in a way that left even seasoned guides lost and confused.

Angela Desdery, a guide with the Pioneer Camp, confirmed what we were seeing. She has spent the last few years observing these shifts up close – first as a porter on Kilimanjaro, and now as one of the few women guiding in the Serengeti. 

According to her, this is not a one-off fluke. Last year followed the same confusing pattern. Rainfall kept creeping into the dry months, throwing off the delicate cues that drive migration. The animals, she said, are clearly working to adapt. But it is apparent there is disorientation.

When the timing of the migration changes, everything downstream changes too – literally and figuratively. Predators have to shift their hunting grounds. Calving season is disrupted. Grasslands are either overgrazed or left untouched. It is a cascading effect, and it is happening faster than the guides, wardens, rangers and conservationists here imagined. For all the science and satellite data in the world, there is no substitute for lived experience. The people who call this place a second home – those who spend their days in the bush, reading the land and tracking movement – are often the first to notice when something is changing and to what degree. Desdery could not help but emphasize the severity of it all. 

“Many of these environmental shifts are occurring in areas that are not immediately visible to visitors. While the presence of megafauna like elephants and lions might suggest a thriving ecosystem, a closer examination reveals the underlying issues,” she shared. She encouraged us to observe the subtler signs—the health of smaller species and their habitats – which often serve as early indicators of ecological imbalance. For instance, shifts in rainfall patterns can lead to changes in vegetation, directly impacting the availability of food and shelter for these smaller creatures. She went on to explain, “Such disruptions can create a butterfly effect through the food chain, which ultimately alters the entire ecosystem.”

While the challenges facing the Serengeti are profound, they are not going unanswered. Local organizations and community-led initiatives are actively safeguarding these ecosystems. The Grumeti Fund, for example, manages over 350,000 acres in the western Serengeti and has successfully restored wildlife populations, including the critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinos. The Serengeti Preservation Foundation tackles conservation through education and media advocacy, equipping local voices with the tools to drive awareness and action from within. Meanwhile, individuals like Angela bridge conservation and tourism, inspiring visitors to appreciate-and protect this fragile ecosystem.

There is something humbling about standing in the middle of the Serengeti, knowing that a place this vast is shifting under the weight of modern pressures. It forces you to think about more than just the science or the statistics. It makes you think bigger – such as wondering how systems collapse, how they survive, and how much time we really have to course correct. What struck our team the most was the resilience of the place, even as it teeters on edge. The migration still happens, even if it is off-beat. The predators still adapt. The guides still lead, adjusting their knowledge to match a moving target. It is a living example of how nature tries to recalibrate when conditions change and pressure mounts. But that resilience has limits.

The Serengeti showed us that adaptation is not the same as recovery. Just because wildlife still persists does not simply mean all is well. Just because a river has not dried completely does not mean it will not in time. These kinds of changes do not announce themselves with a single traumatic event. They arrive slowly – season by season, rainstorm by rainstorm – until one day you realize the ecosystems you once knew are not the same anymore. Or, in some cases, are not there at all.

For us, the Serengeti was a case study in urgency, making it clear that climate change isn’t something that might happen. It is already here. And it is altering some of the most iconic landscapes on the only planet we call home. It showed us how critical it is to amplify the voices of those living and working on the frontlines – because they are beyond speculation. They are presently observing and adapting. And these powerful voices are in many cases, the only thing standing between these irreplaceable wilds and their destruction.

Featured image: Adam Moore.

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This story is part of an editorial collaboration between Earth.Org and Edges of Earth Expedition, a team dedicated to uncovering powerful stories from the frontlines of the climate crisis. Leading the charge is Andi Cross –an expeditionist, impact strategist, writer, and SSI divemaster –who has spent over two years traveling the world, immersing herself in the realities of environmental change.

The post The Serengeti Is Sending Us a Message: It Is Time We Listen appeared first on Earth.Org.

Bats feed on the rice borer moth, a pest that poses a significant threat to rice crops worldwide. In Spain, Madagascar, and Mexico, they have proven vital for the protection of rice crops.

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According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization, global rice production increased steadily from 200 million tonnes (mt) in the early 1960s to 700mt in half a century, driven largely by population growth. This rise in production heightened the need for more effective and economical methods of insect pest control – such as using bats – instead of relying solely on insecticides. Insectivorous bats can consume some 80-100% of their body weight in insects each night, making them valuable allies in agriculture.

In 1990, in the Ebro Delta Natural Park on Buda Island, northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, pesticides were generally spread from aircrafts. Farmers, aware of the need for an alternative solution, installed bat boxes across rice plantations in a bid to fight the rice borer moth, a serious pest of rice. They were soon occupied by thousands of bats across several hectares of rice fields and, in a short time, pest levels declined significantly. 

Building on this natural pest control approach, a study published in 2015 provided scientific validation and evidence supporting the role of bats as effective, eco-friendly pest controllers. In the years to come, more studies followed. In 2024, researchers studied how the presence and absence of bats affected rice pests. They concluded that on plantations where barriers were set up to prevent bats from accessing them, pest presence was twice as high.

Nowadays, however, pheromones are mostly used to control these pests, and if they are not enough, pesticides are also applied. Pheromones are substances that disrupt mating by confusing male insects, masking the scent trails of females, or creating false trails into the field. 

The Importance of Preserving Bats

“The presence of bats in agricultural lands significantly contributes to the protection of the yield of rice fields, minimizing the harvest losses due to insect pests,” explained Adrià López-Baucells, a researcher from the BiBio Research Group at the Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers in Spain. “The economic value of this natural pest control is estimated at savings of €56 [US$65] per hectare in rice fields,” the researcher explained, making bats a sustainable, economical, and environmentally safe method to fight insect pests in agriculture.

In the 2015 study mentioned above, researchers and park technicians also evaluated the types of boxes most suitable for bat survival. In the past, during episodes of extreme heat, some bats died from the excessive temperatures inside conventional boxes. An innovative model of box was therefore developed by Xavier Porres, a technician and project collaborator from the Natural Park in Ebro Delta, made from a mix of rice husk, plant fibres, and other organic materials from rice production. These lightweight, waterproof, and light-colored boxes were designed to prevent overheating and were installed throughout the park. By using agricultural waste from the rice farms to create shelters for bats – which then helps control pests in the fields – this approach completes a sustainable cycle of reuse and natural pest management, ultimately boosting crop productivity. 

Bat Projects Around the World

Following these findings, the Catalan public administration in Spain began funding collaborative projects and initiatives between the BiBio Research Group and the BETA Technological Centre. These projects use bats to improve biodiversity, and agricultural productivity. For example, in Catalonia, vineyards make up about half of the land used for organic farming, where synthetic chemicals aren’t allowed – so farmers rely only on prevention and natural methods to manage pests. 

As part of these initiatives, researchers aim to study the bats’ diet, threats, migration, and behaviour. Smart and autonomous bat boxes have also been recently designed and equipped with infrared cameras, environmental sensors, and solar panels. These boxes take one photo per day and send it to a mobile phone, allowing for the constant monitoring of bat presence, detection of breeding, and continuous tracking.

The knowledge gained from the 2015 study was then applied to different contexts. In 2025, researchers from the same group identified a similar pattern with bats controlling multiple insect pests in Madagascar. 

Madagascar is renowned for its rich biodiversity and high levels of endemism, but it currently faces significant threats from land conversion for agriculture due to the exponential population growth in the last half century. To plant crops such as rice, people are forced to clear land by deforesting large areas, resulting in significant forest and habitat loss. They use a practice known as “slash and burn”, which involves burning, clearing the remains, and planting the new crop. The forced transformation of landscapes on this African island has disrupted ecosystems, causing bats to relocate and increasingly coexist with humans. 

Urgent conservation efforts, including community-led cave protection and sustainable land-use planning, are needed. Raising awareness among farmers about the value of bats can promote sustainable practices and strengthen food security. 

Soon after, another study in Mexico drew a similar conclusion. In Morelos, researchers studied how well insect-eating bats help protect rice crops from pests. They found that bats reduced crop damage by 58%. Although the total rice harvest didn’t increase much, the reduced damage was worth about €3-7 (US$3.6-8) per hectare each year. This is the first time the economic value of bats for rice farming has been measured in the Americas, highlighting the importance of protecting bats as part of sustainable agriculture.

Bats as Bioindicators

Bats are very small mammals. Their wings make them appear larger, but sometimes weigh less than 5 grams. Despite their small size, they have remarkable longevity: many species live between 10 and 20 years in the wild, and some can reach 30 to 40 years. They also have a low reproductive rate: most species produce only one offspring per year. This combination of longevity and low birth rate means that damaged colonies can take decades to recover. 

Bats are disappearing due to habitat loss transformed for intensive agriculture, pesticides, climate change, disease, and human disturbance. These factors reduce their food, shelter, and survival rates. As bioindicators, their decline signals worsening ecosystem health.

In Catalonia, for example, 30 species have been identified, with one already classified as extinct. Some are associated with riparian forests, and their presence indicates good environmental health. Others, which are forest dwellers, only breed in well-preserved woods, making them clear indicators of environmental quality.

Bats support sustainable agriculture by naturally reducing pests, which lessens pesticide use and helps protect food security and the environment. Preserving their habitats boosts rural productivity and biodiversity. Studies in the Ebro Delta, Madagascar and Mexico confirm their valuable role in farming systems, especially amid global challenges like climate change and ecosystem stress.

Featured image: Oriol Massana and Adrià López Baucells.

The post Around the World, Bats Are Protecting Rice Crops Against Pests appeared first on Earth.Org.

The impact of extreme heat on women isn’t merely about discomfort – it is physiological, economic, and deeply personal.

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By Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu

Scorching sun, no shade, and temperatures soaring to 32C – the relentless heat takes its toll on Auntie Fausty, a hardworking woman in her mid-50s, who ekes out a living selling bags in Accra, Ghana’s capital city, at the brimming Makola Market. As she sits in a worn plastic chair, her eyes scan the crowded market, searching for customers.

But the heat is suffocating, draining the life from her very pores. Auntie Fausty wipes the sweat from her brow with a tattered rug, her face a map of deep lines and creases. And yet, despite the oppressive heat, she remains steadfast, her beautifully arranged bags a testament to her unyielding spirit. 

“After the harmattan season in January, the heat becomes intense, lasting till the rains arrive in May or June,” she shares, her voice laced with resilience and resolve. She describes her typical day: “I face harsh conditions from morning till 3 pm, sweating profusely and drinking plenty of water to cope, all while worrying about making ends meet.”

Women Bear the Heat

Just a short walk away at Tema Station market, Ama Serwaa meticulously arranges her collection of local spices beneath the fragile sanctuary of a faded umbrella. Like Auntie Fausty, she battles not only the economic pressures of urban survival but also the physical assault of rising temperatures.

“The afternoon sun feels like punishment,” Ama confides, her voice dropping to a whisper as though the heat might overhear and grow stronger. “The headaches come like clockwork – throbbing, blinding pain that only painkillers can touch. Sometimes, all I can do is close my eyes and rest, even as customers walk by.” 

As both women speak, others move through the market carrying heavy loads balanced precariously on their heads. The scene presents a stark visual metaphor – Ghana’s women literally bearing the weight of economic necessity while simultaneously enduring the crushing burden of climate change’s thermal consequences. 

Their reality stands in sharp contrast to those who spend days in air-conditioned offices. For these market women, there is no escape button, no thermostat to adjust when the heat becomes unbearable. Their workplace is exposed to the elements, their bodies the frontline in a climate battle they never asked to fight.

The Female Body Under Fire 

The impact of extreme heat on women isn’t merely about discomfort – it is physiological, economic, and deeply personal. According to Kathy Baughman McLeod, Chief Executive Officer of Climate Resilience for All, biology itself places women at greater risk. 

“Ecologically, women’s bodies respond differently to heat stress,” McLeod explained. “It’s not just perception – their cardiovascular systems, skin structure, and hormonal fluctuations create unique vulnerabilities that science is only beginning to properly document.” 

The consequences extend far beyond temporary discomfort. McLeod’s voice grew solemn as she shared observations from partner communities in South Asia: “We’ve documented daily skin rashes, chronic dizziness, debilitating headaches – and most devastating of all, miscarriages directly attributable to extreme heat exposure. Last May alone, six women from our community partners died from heat-related causes while working outdoors.” 

Caryn Agyeman Prempeh, Health Director at La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly, added medical context to these lived experiences. “Heat stress triggers cortisol release in women’s bodies, creating hormonal imbalances that manifest as visible skin conditions like acne and eczema, but also as invisible threats to reproductive health.” 

“When a woman experiences prolonged heat exposure day after day, her entire endocrine system can be affected. The body perpetually believes it’s under attack.” 

Fertility Amidst Flames

The consequences of heat on fertility are particularly devastating for women, as rising temperatures disrupt the intricate physiological processes that regulate reproduction. 

Research reveals that rising temperatures interfere with the hypothalamus – the brain’s regulator of reproductive function. In heat stress on reproductive function and fertility in mammals, studies show that under heat stress, the hypothalamus falters, disrupting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This results in erratic hormonal signals throughout the body. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, both crucial for egg maturation, fail to function properly, leaving ovarian follicles stranded and unable to develop. The system that should enable life is left out of sync, and ovulation is brought to a halt.

For pregnant women, the dangers are even more dire. Elevated body temperatures do not just affect the mother – they place the unborn child in jeopardy. Heat stress transforms the womb, once a sanctuary, into a hostile environment. Miscarriages, stillbirths, and severe birth defects are far more likely when heat overwhelms the body’s natural processes. The future, once filled with the potential of new life, is suddenly erased, as heat robs it before it even has a chance to form.

In Zimbabwe’s Kusile rural district, where climate change and inadequate healthcare intersect, pregnant women face an existential threat. This nightmare is a devastating reality for far too many. Meck Sibanda, Executive Director of the Christian Youth Volunteers Association Trust, bears witness to this crisis: “Rural women embark on perilous journeys to access basic healthcare, including maternity care. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a matter of life and death.” 

Men are not exempt from the impact of heat, though their struggle is less visible. Heat was found to affect men’s testes, the organs responsible for sperm production. Excessive heat can impair the function of the cells within the testes, leading to reduced sperm production and compromised sperm quality. Sperm counts may drop, and DNA integrity can be affected. However, these changes are often reversible once temperatures return to normal.

Both men and women face the wrath of heat, but women bear the heaviest burden. The damage to female fertility can be irreversible, robbing them of the chance to conceive. While male fertility may recover, women’s reproductive systems are often left permanently altered. In the fight against a warming world, heat is not just a physical stress – it is a thief of life, stealing futures and leaving bodies in its wake. 

More on the topic: South Sudanese Women Disproportionally Affected By Climate Change-Fueled Heat: Study

Northern Heat, Northern Pain

Travel northward to Bolgatanga in Ghana’s Upper East Region, and the temperature climbs even higher. Here, where the mercury regularly touches 40C, another deadly consequence of extreme heat emerges from the parched landscape. 

Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) cases surge during peak heat periods, turning temperature into a matter of life and death. The northern regions have recorded thousands of cases over recent years, with fatality rates that send shudders through local health systems. 

Here too, women bear additional burdens. As primary caregivers, they typically carry on with their domestic responsibilities even when sick. They walk farther for increasingly scarce water. They maintain households while their own health deteriorates under the double assault of heat and duty. 

“We are the nurses when clinics are too far away,” said Adisa Adams, a mother of three from a village outside Bolgatanga. “We are the ones who must remain strong when others fall ill. But who cares for us when the heat makes us weak?” 

Science Behind the Sweat

Ghana’s rising temperatures are no accident or natural fluctuation. A 2014 paper documented how greenhouse gas emissions from fuel consumption, deforestation, and agricultural practices have accelerated since 1990, pushing Ghana toward a climate tipping point despite its relatively small global emissions footprint. 

By 2020, all of Ghana’s ecological zones had surpassed 2C warming – a threshold once considered a distant concern. Projections for 2050 and 2080 suggest continued temperature increases that threaten to remake the country’s environmental and social landscape. 

The consequences ripple through every sector. Agriculture yields decline as crops wither under intensifying heat. Hydropower generation falters as rainfall patterns shift. Public health crises multiply with increased incidence of malaria and cholera. And at every point of impact, women – especially those with limited economic resources – absorb the harshest effects. A study published in April delivered even more sobering news: heatwaves across Ghana are becoming more frequent, longer in duration, and more intense in their peak temperatures. The northern regions, particularly the Sudan Savannah zone, experience the most severe conditions, yet they receive the least attention in climate adaptation planning.

The Gendered Cost of Climate 

Extreme heat does not affect all Ghanaians equally. Women – especially those who work outdoors, care for families, or live in poverty – are disproportionately exposed and less protected. Their labor is invisible, their suffering normalized. 

“We must view heat stress as a gendered health crisis,” said Prempeh. “The public sees women in markets but rarely thinks about what that exposure does to their organs, their fertility, or their future.” 

Beyond markets, women working as farmers, cleaners, food vendors, and teachers are increasingly reporting chronic fatigue, heatstroke, and productivity loss. Yet policies remain gender-neutral – blind to the fact that equal isn’t always equitable. 

Despite these challenges, women across Ghana demonstrate remarkable adaptability. The World Health Organization recommends simple preventive measures: staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours, wearing appropriate clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible.

Pushing For Change in a Burning Landscape

Christopher Gordon, former director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana, identified the vicious cycle trapping Ghana in escalating heat. 

“We’re cutting down forests while cocoa yields decline,” he said. “Farmers, desperate for income, sell land to illegal gold miners. The result? More deforestation, polluted water bodies, and temperatures that climb even higher.” 

His analysis revealed the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and climate consequences. Deforestation reduces natural cooling, accelerates soil erosion, and diminishes water retention – all factors that intensify heat impacts, particularly in rural communities where women are central to agricultural production. 

For the first time, Ghana has appointed a dedicated Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability – Baba Issifu Seidu. This institutional recognition of climate challenges offers new hope for policy interventions that might specifically address heat’s gendered impacts. Minister Seidu’s engagement with University of Ghana academics signals a promising shift toward evidence-based climate policy. For this approach to succeed, it must recognize and address the specific vulnerabilities of women while amplifying their essential role in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. 

Cooling Communities Through Collaboration 

Innovation emerges from necessity. Across Ghana, women are not merely victims of climate change but pioneers of climate solutions. 

The national tree-planting initiative represents one scalable approach to heat mitigation. Millions of trees planted annually provide essential shade, cool surrounding air through evapotranspiration, and help reduce urban heat island effects that make cities particularly dangerous during extreme heat events. 

More targeted interventions also show particular promise. The Heat Adaptation Benefits for Vulnerable Groups in Africa (HABVIA) project has implemented a roof-painting initiative in communities including Ga-Mashie in Accra and  Nkwantakese in Kumasi. The program applies specialized reflective paint to approximately 30 homes in each location, significantly reducing interior temperatures. 

“Before the white roof, my children couldn’t sleep at night because of the heat,” explained Maamle Sackey, a participant in Ga-Mashie. “Now our home stays cooler, and we rest better. My headaches have lessened too.” 

Doreen Larkailey Lartey, a researcher with the University of Ghana Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, believes in women’s capacity to cool their environments through small-scale interventions.

“Urban women have extraordinary power to transform microclimates,” Lartey said. “Home gardens, reduced energy consumption, and water conservation—these seemingly small actions multiply when communities embrace them collectively.” 

Her vision is both practical and inspirational: thousands of small gardens transforming Ghana’s urban heat profile while improving food security and enhancing biodiversity. “Women already hold ecological knowledge,” she insisted. “They simply need resources and recognition to deploy it effectively.” 

As rising temperatures scorch the West African nation of Ghana, the heat is on to act. Women, often the most vulnerable to the climate crisis, bear the brunt of droughts, floods, and storms. To shield them and future generations from the worst impacts of climate change, Ghana must adopt policies that prioritize their needs and perspectives. Integrating climate change mitigation, public health protection, and social equity will forge a resilient, equitable, and thriving future. The time for collective action is now – Ghana’s women, and its very future, depend on it. 

Featured image: Ernest Ankomah.

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About the author:

Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu is a science journalist specializing in the gendered impacts of climate change across West Africa. This report was supported by the African Women in Media (AWiM) with support from the Fojo Media Institute.

The post Extreme Heat Is Hitting Women in Ghana Hard appeared first on Earth.Org.

The Chui Mamas are on a mission to empower women to attain the highest possible standards of living through income-generating activities.

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By Andi Cross

We drove for hours, navigating the dusty roads from Meru National Park to the Loisaba Conservancy. With its relentless terrain, we knew the journey would be long, but worth every mile. Upon arrival at Loisaba Tented Camp, we were greeted by Dalmas Malcom Lemaiyan, a Maasai Warrior with a commanding presence and a contagious passion for the wild. Despite our exhaustion and the dust covering our bodies and all that we owned, we could not resist his invitation to immediately begin exploring. 

With Dalmas leading the way, the wilderness opened up before us: lions laying under shady trees, elephants in the distance, and giraffes crossing our path so frequently we stopped counting. Eventually, we found ourselves saying, “Oh, just another zebra.” We quickly found ourselves utterly captivated by the heart of East Africa.Our next stop, however, was not about the wildlife. We were here to meet the women reshaping what community leadership and independence mean in this part of Kenya.

Elewana Collection, Loisaba Conservancy and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance partner with a self-help group in Laikipia County known as the Chui Mamas, whose mission is to empower women to “attain the highest possible standards of living through income-generating activities.” These tribal women, from the Samburu and Ndorobo ethnic groups of the Maa-speaking culture, had invited us into their world to share the next chapter of women’s rights and equal opportunity in a country far behind.

Together with their collaborators, they have built a community center that now serves as both a hub for their efforts and a symbol of progress. These women were stepping into leadership roles for the first time in their lives. Even the name they chose for their group, “Chui” – Swahili for leopard – speaks volumes. Powerful, bold, strong, and unrelenting in their mission, like the leopard on the hunt for prey, these women have committed the rest of their lives to protect their heritage while embracing modern freedoms.

While Kenya’s beauty is undeniable, many communities face significant challenges here. Practices like female genital mutilation persist despite growing opposition. Educational access for girls remains limited. Economic barriers often tether women to outdated systems, despite progress consistent elsewhere in the world. However, the Chui Mamas are rewriting the script, creating opportunities for women and girls to rise above these deeply rooted obstacles for the first time.

At their community center, we were greeted by three members – just a few among the more than 60 women involved in the collective. Wearing intricate, hand-beaded necklaces that displayed their artistry and cultural pride, their energy was magnetic. Communication bridged through their laughter and expressive gestures as well as translation revealed the incredible depth of both their journeys and resilience.

These women’s mission is to use their skills to build a better life. Beadwork, soap making, tailoring, baking, beekeeping, gardening, farming – all serve as income streams and tools for survival, self-sufficiency, and dignity. Their firsthand accounts of hunger, poverty, and drought – conditions worsened by climate change – were sobering. But they wanted us to know that their story was not one of hardship, but rather ingenuity and hope.

To combat both environmental and economic challenges, the Chui Mamas have made regenerative farming a core part of their efforts as well. They walked us through rows of tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, sunflowers, kale, pigeon peas, bananas, cabbages, and fruit trees. Everything is planted and harvested with intention. Crop rotation, water conservation, and companion planting help them stay eco-conscious and productive. Sunflowers serve as natural pest control. Mulching retains moisture in the arid soil. Nothing goes to waste, as compost is made from kitchen and garden scraps to improve soil health and keep their system self-sustaining. 

Water scarcity, however, remains one of their biggest threats. Erratic rainfall patterns have made farming a challenge, and one that requires constant adaptation. Covering crops with hay to slow evaporation, implementing compost strategies, and preparing for future rainwater harvesting systems – none of these are high-tech solutions, but they are practical, effective, and built to last. For the Mamas, it is all about climate resilience, established from the ground up.

The community center is where their efforts come together – a collaborative space to gather, work, and dream. With storefronts scheduled to open later this year, each woman will soon have a dedicated place to showcase her craft, earn an income, and take control of her future. In a region where marginalization, cultural taboos, and gender-based violence have long shaped women’s lives, these storefronts represent freedom.

And while tourism brings more people to Laikipia every year, it does not always benefit everyone equally. High-end lodges are present through the area, but the undercurrent of inequity remains strong — and particularly so for women. But this is something the Chui Mamas are determined to change. They are rebuilding the system – creating a new Africa built by those who know that resilience must be rooted in opportunity, not charity. The aim is that, when their storefronts open, they will sell to both their communities and tourists, offering a piece of them to those passing through.  

Through these efforts, the Chui Mamas are addressing systemic issues that have long been ignored. Many are single mothers, widows, or women who have been pushed to the edges of society due to circumstances beyond their control – like raising a disabled child. These are women often left without land, livestock, or reliable income. This level of vulnerability affects every part of life – from feeding their children to accessing healthcare or education. But here, they have found community, and just as important, a way forward.

Health challenges like obstetric fistula from unassisted births or eye problems from smokey indoor cooking are common here. The Mamas provide healthcare access, basic needs support, and literacy programs as part of their self-help offering. They are distributing essentials like wheelchairs and roofing materials while creating a universal place for women to receive support, escape abuse, and learn the skills needed to regain their independence.

This movement, the Mamas explained, is not just for today’s generation. They are laying the groundwork to build long-term solutions for those to come. For example, rescue centers for girls escaping early marriage, and programs for children with special needs are top of mind. For these powerful women, it is too easy to just react to the present. They expressed that it is a bigger and more critical challenge to help establish the enabling conditions for a better future on behalf of the next generation.

While Kenya’s natural beauty draws travelers from all over the world – it is not present solely in its wildlife. It is found within its people, too. Conservation goes well beyond protecting wild spaces, and spills into uplifting the communities that live within and alongside them. Because if people are struggling to meet basic needs like food, health, and safety, how can they be expected to care for the natural world? 

Laikipia is a proving ground for what social equity and climate resilience can look like when driven from within. The Chui Mamas showed us that refusing to wait for change is the most powerful action a collective can take. They have proven that when women rise, communities stabilize. When tradition meets innovation, progress follows. And when travelers show up with curiosity and care, tourism becomes something far more meaningful than something transactional. It becomes part of the solution. 

So if we want to be more than spectators – if we truly want to support a thriving future for places like this – it starts by recognizing that resilience has faces, names, and a shared mission. And that mission is already being put to work.

Featured image: Marla Tomorug.

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This story is part of an editorial collaboration between Earth.Org and Edges of Earth Expedition, a team dedicated to uncovering powerful stories from the frontlines of the climate crisis. Leading the charge is Andi Cross –an expeditionist, impact strategist, writer, and SSI divemaster –who has spent over two years traveling the world, immersing herself in the realities of environmental change.

The post A Women-Led Community’s Fight For Climate and Community Resilience in Northern Kenya appeared first on Earth.Org.

“While Kenya’s NDC gestures toward inclusivity, it misses several critical justice touchpoints,” argue Abigael Kima and Jaël Poelen of Hivos’s Voices for Just Climate Action program.

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By Abigael Kima & Jaël Poelen

With its latest Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, Kenya has positioned itself as a climate leader, setting ambitious goals to slash emissions by 35% and build a resilient, green economy by 2035.

At first glance, it is inspiring, especially from a country responsible for just 0.16% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But ambition and action, while necessary, are not the same as justice. And for Kenya’s frontline communities, those already living on the edge of climate impacts, the question isn’t just how bold this NDC is, but who it is bold for.

NDCs are at the heart of the Paris Agreement, the global climate pact where every country commits to doing its part to limit warming to 1.5C. Each updated NDC is expected to raise ambition and create a blueprint for national climate action until 2035, aligning with the global goals. Kenya’s latest NDC does just that – on paper.

The new plan outlines a future of lowered emissions and increased investment in climate resilience. It is framed not only as a climate action roadmap but also as a national investment tool, designed to boost sustainability and prosperity. The document aligns with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and its Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), signaling Kenya’s readiness to lead in climate diplomacy.

But as impressive as this may sound, it raises an uncomfortable question: can this promise of resilience and green growth anchored on energy policy reforms reach those most at risk, such as smallholder farmers, off-grid communities, and women in arid lands, without a strong foundation in justice?

You might also like: Assessing the Progress on the Implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation

Impact on Frontline Communities

At its core, climate justice is about more than emissions, it is about fairness. It means acknowledging the unequal burdens of climate change, respecting the diverse needs of affected communities, and ensuring meaningful participation in shaping the policies that govern their future. It means distributing resources not just efficiently, but equitably, so that the most vulnerable are not left behind.

While Kenya’s NDC gestures toward inclusivity, it misses several critical justice touchpoints.

First, consider the distribution of goods and services, specifically energy. In Kenya, access to energy remains uneven, and simply expanding access is not enough. Energy, as a means to an end, must be understood in terms of who it serves and for what purpose. To truly embed justice into power reforms, the NDC must confront the reality of energy poverty in local communities. This requires addressing not only provision, but also productive use: ensuring that communities can leverage energy access for economic resilience. A justice-centered NDC would go beyond basic provision to address affordability, usability, and long-term local benefit.

Second, there are concerns around financing. While the NDC is grounded in the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, as well as Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, it places heavy emphasis on mobilizing private capital by “boosting private sector investment.” Although private finance is essential in the era of green investment, this approach risks undermining climate justice for frontline communities. Without clear regulatory frameworks, reliance on private capital could sideline public interests and deepen inequalities.

Kenya must strike a careful balance: welcoming private investment while ensuring it aligns with justice goals and does not compromise the established climate finance architecture of the Paris Agreement.

Finally, climate justice demands genuine participation. It is about enabling people to take part in shaping the environmental policies that affect their lives. This includes the fair distribution of goods, the right to live a healthy life, and the protection of the climate-vulnerable. While the NDC promotes a “whole-of-government, whole-of-community” strategy for implementation, the process that led to its development appears top-down.

Participation must begin at the policy design stage, not just during implementation. Without this, the sense of community ownership is weakened, and with it, the potential for successful and just implementation.

What Is Necessary Ahead of 2031?

Kenya’s climate roadmap is ambitious, and many elements, like the focus on gender, adaptation, and loss and damage, are commendable. But if it is to be a true blueprint for justice that will be implemented in the next six years, three shifts are needed:

1. Prioritize community needs in energy policy, including local productive use.
2. Regulate and guide private investment to serve justice, not just markets.
3. Ensure participatory governance from policy design to implementation.

The next phase of the NDC must fight for fairness as fiercely as it fights for emissions cuts. Kenya has already shown that climate ambition can rise from the Global Majority. Now it has the chance to prove that climate justice can, too. The question isn’t just whether we will cut carbon. It is whether we will build a future where every Kenyan has a place, and a voice, in the solution.

Featured image: Climate Centre/Flickr.

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About the authors:

Abigael Kima is a leading climate justice advocate from Kenya, a Project Officer at Hivos under the Voices for Just Climate Action program and hosts the Hali Hewa Podcast about African climate stories.

Jaël Poelen is the Global Advocacy and Communications Officer at Hivos for the Voices for Just Climate Action program, which aims to amplify the voices of people and communities most affected by climate change.

The post Kenya’s New Climate Pledge Is Bold, But Is It Fair? appeared first on Earth.Org.

African countries grappled with unprecedented flooding, persistent droughts and water scarcity in 2024, the World Meteorological Organization said on Monday.

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Human-made climate change is wreaking havoc across Africa, impacting every aspect of socio-economic development and exacerbating food and water insecurity, according to a new report.

Africa just endured its hottest or second-hottest year on record, depending on the dataset, bookending the continent’s warmest decade on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Climate in Africa 2024 report. Sea temperatures, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, were also abnormally high and rapidly rising.

Published Monday, the study also looked at extreme weather events affecting dozens of African countries last year, which are increasing in both frequency and intensity globally because of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

These events are affecting socio-economic development in Africa, WMO warned, disrupting agriculture and energy supplies, increasing food and water insecurity, and threatening health and education for millions of people.

Between March and May 2024, for example, floods and landslides triggered by exceptional rainfall killed hundreds of people lost their lives and displaced more than 700,000 in Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and other parts of East Africa. In May, East Africa’s first-of-its-kind cyclone brought more torrential rain and high-speed winds to the already heavy-battered region, resulting in further casualties and displacements.

Meanwhile, widespread and prolonged drought conditions led to the worst electricity blackouts in living memory in Zambia in October, with neighboring Zimbabwe and Malawi also badly affected. In Lake Kariba, the world’s largest artificial lake located along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, waters last year reached critically low levels, affecting hydroelectric power generation and triggering prolonged blackouts and economic disruptions. Zambia sources up to 84% of its electricity from water reservoirs like lakes and rivers.

Climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods are driving increasing displacement across the African continent, with the number of internally displaced people now six times higher than 15 years ago, according to a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre published in November.

Escalating Situation

Last February, the Center for Global Development (CGD) warned that more than 200 million people across Africa could face extreme hunger and undernourishment in the long run as extreme weather events impact crop yields and farmland value. Meanwhile, droughts are likely going to push more than 50 million people into water distress, according to the CGD.

It found that agricultural production in Africa could experience losses of up to 2.9% by 2030 and 18% by mid-century, while the value of farmland to drop anywhere between 36% and 61%.

Climate change is also expected to deepen poverty, with the continent’s average per capita GDP projected to drop by 7.1% in the long term and country-level GDP losses estimated at 11.2% to 26.6%. Across the continent, poverty is expected to affect households that work in the agricultural sector the most, with revenue from crops likely to drop by 30% and poverty expected to rise anywhere between 20% and 30% when compared to a no-climate-change scenario.

Global Pledges Fall Short

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo on Monday warned that early warnings and climate adaptation must be scaled up “to address the increasingly complex challenges and cascading impacts” of climate change in Africa, adding that the situation was “urgent and escalating.”

According to the report, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) across several African countries are leveraging artificial intelligence to monitor and predict localized weather hazards more effectively, and are utilizing mobile applications, SMS alerts, community radio systems, and other communication platforms to reach even the most remote communities.

Countries like Nigeria and Kenya are leading the way, using digital platforms such as mobile applications, cell broadcast, SMS alerts, and community radio systems to provide crucial weather information to sectors like agriculture and fishing. Meanwhile, South Africa is relying on AI-based forecasting tools and modern radar systems for effective and timely weather predictions.

In 2024, 18 NMHSs across Africa upgraded their websites and digital communication systems with support from the WMO, enhancing their services, products, and warnings.

Featured image: Climate Centre/Flickr.

The post ‘Urgent and Escalating’: Climate Change Brought Unprecedented Challenges to Africa in 2024, Report Finds appeared first on Earth.Org.

As billions of individuals lack electricity worldwide, micro-renewables such as small turbines and rooftop solar are powering a silent revolution. Not only are these miniature power plants eliminating poverty, but they are also building resilience in communities from Lagos to London.

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Microgeneration refers to the production of energy on a small scale by small businesses, communities, and domestic households. It is often conducted where the energy is needed, increasing efficiency and avoiding the expense of distribution. 

Some examples of microgeneration technology include micro wind turbines, solar panels, and hydroelectric. Each system converts natural energy sources such as sunlight, wind, and running water into usable electricity. The beauty of microgeneration lies in its twin benefits: economic savings and sustainability. While the initial outlay for fitting equipment like solar panels or windmills can be prohibitive, such an investment will pay dividends in reduced bills and the possibility of making money from excess power that can be fed back into the grid under systems like the Feed-In Tariff or Smart Export Guarantee.

Microgeneration offers a vital solution to energy poverty, a constraint to increasing health care, education, and economic opportunities in the developing world. Access to reliable electricity is a human right, and microgeneration technologies like solar home systems and mini-grids deliver critical power without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. 

Established in 1990, the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a non-profit charity that works to bring solar power solutions to poor communities around the world. By providing a reliable source of renewable energy, SELF has raised the standard of living and created new economic possibilities. Solar energy, especially, has been a significant factor in reducing poverty, as evidenced in China, where extensive solar installations have increased the income of thousands of households substantially.

Artificial Intelligence

Community microgrids have the potential to improve standards of living by offering safe, clean energy options for neighborhoods, villages, towns, and cities. Due to their character, these types of projects take longer to develop than institutional or commercial ones, but successful implementations can significantly contribute to community resilience and energy self-sufficiency. 

A prime example can be seen in Brooklyn, New York, where blockchain technology is used to manage community microgrids. This new approach ensures a reliable power supply and promotes local energy generation and usage, thereby improving the overall energy security of the community. The growth of low-cost, small-scale renewable energy systems such as rooftop solar panels is reshaping energy landscapes globally by decentralizing energy ownership and community empowerment. 

Microsoft researchers are working with communities to discover ways artificial intelligence (AI) can assist in keeping low-carbon energy accessible. AI-optimized microgrids make communities more resilient by providing assured access to clean energy, especially in areas where conventional energy systems are likely to be disrupted by natural disasters, cyberattacks, or grid outages.

Combining AI and blockchain technology in microgrids enables predictive maintenance, autonomous energy trading, and optimized power distribution, making them more efficient and cost-effective. For instance, an AI microgrid enabled by blockchain can automatically monitor and confirm energy transactions among homes with solar panels, ensuring transparency and equitable distribution of energy. This makes energy solutions more sustainable and resilient for communities.

Such advanced microgrids are also bound to be a beginning point for larger implementation models, paving the way for more adaptive and green-based energy infrastructure solutions in urban as well as rural areas.

Energy Communities

Local energy communities are bottom-up, citizen-driven initiatives comprised of citizens, small businesses, and local institutions that come together to produce, manage, and distribute renewable energy. These communities play a significant role in uplifting clean energy around the globe. These community-based energy projects, which can be initiated by citizens, small businesses, cooperatives, and local associations, utilize renewable technologies, reduce inefficiencies, provide stable supplies of power, save on energy costs, and provide local job opportunities. As a result, they are being considered as viable solutions for developing more inclusive and equitable energy systems. 

Citizen participation in renewable energy programs can have the ability to create significant socio-economic gains for local communities. The International Renewable Energy Agency has documented 11 renewable energy projects globally that are marked by best practices and the socio-economic advantages for societies, indicating how community engagement in energy projects enhances positive attitudes towards renewables and propels the energy transition. 

More on the topic: Power to the People: An Overview of Community Energy

The growing popularity of community-based energy projects suggests that increasing citizen participation and ownership in renewable initiatives could hasten the transition to sustainable energy systems while also addressing social and economic inequalities, something policymakers and energy planners should take note of.

Unsurprisingly, energy communities are also vital in tackling climate change. By generating and consuming their energy, these communities spur local development and are central to the global energy transition. 

In several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda, mini-grid initiatives supported by grants from the Universal Energy Facility have been able to electrify homes and enterprises through clean and sustainable electricity. These schemes use solar and storage technologies to replace dirty generators, improving access to energy and allowing sustainable development. This is expected to increase community participation in renewable energy programs, thereby contributing to local economic development while also reducing carbon emissions.

The success of mini-grid programs in African countries demonstrates that with sufficient support and infrastructure, energy communities are strong energy access as well as sustainability drivers.

Government Policies and Regulation

Effective Government Policies

Various government policies and systems of regulation have been utilized by governments globally to effectively promote the use of microscale renewable energy technology. Apart from promoting the use of renewable energy, they also have a critical role in eradicating poverty by providing poor communities with accessible and reliable energy solutions. 

One effective approach many nations have adopted is setting renewable energy targets, which allow governments to establish a straightforward mission and commitment towards transitioning to cleaner energy resources. These objectives not only show the dedication of the government towards clean energy but also encourage investment and innovation in the field of renewable energy.

In the US, national clean energy policy has progressed exponentially through Biden-era bills such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which have brought significant investments to encourage the adoption of renewable energy technology.

In addition, the Farm Bill, which funds various agricultural initiatives, has also contributed towards the growing interest in clean energy. The US Department of Energy has continuously issued grants and funding to advance clean energy projects – although these efforts have been radically reversed by the new Trump administration. 

Such efficient government policies of developed countries can be applied to the context of developing countries in order to enable them to become effective tools of poverty alleviation. For instance, India’s Renewable Energy Policy establishes state-level targets for solar and wind energy, which trigger investment in locally viable renewable projects. Kenya’s Last-Mile Connectivity Program, subsidized by the government and backed by foreign grants, has also accelerated rural electrification by expanding small-scale solar and mini-grid projects.

Developing nations can set ambitious renewable energy targets and utilize dedicated funding mechanisms to enhance energy access for marginalized communities and stimulate economic development by undertaking such programs.

Collaboration

Governments also need to collaborate with international agencies and NGOs to acquire technical expertise and finance for effective implementation. Capacity building and training programs for the local community and workers will also be required to ensure these renewable energy projects are long-term, sustainable, and effective.

The best practices in working together include multiple strategies designed to address the diversities and complexities of these initiatives. A visible practice is facilitating interagency collaboration to deal with cross-cutting issues such as climate change and energy security.

The US Government Accountability Office has identified best practices for effective collaboration that can enable the alleviation of fragmentation, overlap, and duplication. These include presidentially appointed coordinators, co-location of agencies within one building, and interagency task forces to bring policymaking, program implementation, and information sharing together.

Outlook

Microscale renewable energy solutions represent a paradigm shift in addressing energy poverty and encouraging sustainable development, particularly for poor communities throughout the world. Through the implementation of technologies such as solar panels, micro wind turbines, and hydroelectric systems, microgeneration not only provides clean, reliable electricity but also supports the economic and social empowerment of communities. 

Case studies like blockchain-based microgrids in Brooklyn and mini-grid schemes in African nations demonstrate the practical benefits of these systems, including greater resilience, energy independence, and local jobs. The integration of advanced technologies like AI and blockchain can make these solutions more scalable and efficient, paving the way for broader application.

Government policy and collaboration are essential to push this green economics agenda. Effective regulations, renewable energy targets, and funding mechanisms provide microgeneration schemes with the institutional spine that they need. Equally important is collaboration between governments and communities, ensuring the schemes are adapted to local circumstances, gaining confidence and participation. 

With the integration of technological innovation, supportive policies, and local action, microscale renewable energy technologies represent a powerful vehicle for poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.

The post Power to the People: How Micro-Renewables Fight Poverty And Enhance Community Resilience appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including a new study looking at how women in South Sudan were disproportionately affected by a recent heatwave.

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1. South Sudanese Women Disproportionally Affected By Climate Change-Fuelled Heat: Study

Dozens of students collapsed from heat stroke last month, as an intense heatwave prompted South Sudanese authorities to close schools for two weeks.

In a country where more than 2.8 million children – or over 70% – are out of school, school closures during heatwaves can further worsen the situation, particularly for girls, according to scientists at the World Weather Attribution. The group’s latest study, which focused on last month’s heatwave, concluded that heat disproportionally affects women in South Sudan.

Aside from lowering the chances that they will return to school, school closures often mean girls take on household tasks like collecting water and cooking instead, which expose them to even higher temperatures.

Intense heat is also a threat to pregnant women, as it increases the chance of miscarriage and stillbirths. For South Sudan, where 1,223 women die for every 100,000 births, this is particularly worrying.

According to World Weather Attribution, climate change has made last month’s heat event at least 10 times more likely and some 2C hotter.

Read the full article.

2. February Was Third Warmest on Record But Temperatures Still ‘Anomalously High’ For El Niño Aftermath

At 1.59C, the average global surface temperature last month came in third after February 2024 and 2016, climate researcher Zeke Hausfather said in a post on social media X (formerly Twitter). Hausfather, who calculated the result using data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, also noted that it was the first time a month has not been the warmest or second warmest on record since June 2023.

Following a record-breaking January, scientists were startled by the unexpected persistence of high temperatures despite the anticipated arrival of a short-term cooling weather pattern known as La Niña. But last month’s temperatures might be a sign that La Niña conditions are finally kicking in, said Hausfather.

The weather pattern, which typically occurs every three to five years, is associated with the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. It come after El Niño pushed temperatures “off the chart” in 2023 and 2024, the hottest year on record.

Read the full article.

3. La Niña Event Likely ‘Short Lived’, WMO Says Following Third-Hottest February on Record

The current La Niña event is likely to be “short-lived,” the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday, on the heels of the third-warmest February on record.

The UN agency predicts a 60% probability that La Niña conditions – which emerged in December – will end between March and May 2025, increasing to 70% for April to June.

Predictions of seasonal forecasts for events such as El Niño and La Niña are crucial tools to inform early warning for governments and industries, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said on Thursday.

“These forecasts translate into millions of dollars worth in economic savings for key sectors like agriculture, energy and transport, and saved thousands of lives over the years by enabling disaster risk preparedness,” she said.

Read the full article.

4. UAE Launches ‘Blue Visa’ For Leaders in Environmental Sustainability

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the first phase of its Blue Visa program – a 10-year residency aimed at people who have made exceptional contributions towards environmental sustainability. 

The move, announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai earlier this month, comes less than a year after the residency visa was first announced last May following a cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi. “The sustainability of our economy has become linked to the sustainability of our environment, and our national directions in this area are clear and consistent,” UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said in a social media post at the time. 

20 leading individuals from the field will be granted permits under the first phase of the program, including an architect raising awareness about sustainable living, a veterinarian dedicating his life to wildlife conservation, and a sustainability expert who spent two decades in international development. 

Read the full article.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for March 3-7, 2025 appeared first on Earth.Org.

Last month’s intense heatwave in South Sudan, which prompted authorities to close schools for two weeks, was made at least 10 times more likely by climate change, according to new research by World Weather Attribution.

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Heat disproportionally affects the livelihood of women in South Sudan, according to a new study that looks at the impacts of a recent heatwave in the country.

Dozens of students collapsed from heat stroke last month, as an intense heatwave prompted South Sudanese authorities to close schools for two weeks.

Aya Benjamin Warille, Acting Minister of Health, urged the population to avoid outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and cool homes with fans or air conditioning when available as temperatures reached highs of 42C.

For many households and most schools in the country, however, cooling systems are not an options. The majority of education facilities have makeshift structures made of iron sheets and lack electricity. The government said an average of 12 students had been collapsing in the country’s capital Juba every day ahead of the school closures.

Women Unequally Impacted

In a country where more than 2.8 million children – or over 70% – are out of school, school closures during heatwaves can further worsen the situation, particularly for girls, according to scientists at the World Weather Attribution. The group’s latest study, which focused on last month’s heatwave, concluded that heat disproportionally affects women in South Sudan.

Aside from lowering the chances that they will return to school, school closures often mean girls take on household tasks like collecting water and cooking instead, which expose them to even higher temperatures.

Heat is extremely dangerous for humans as it compromises physiological processes meant to keep the body cool, heightening the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. It can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.

Intense heat is also a threat to pregnant women, as it increases the chance of miscarriage and stillbirths. For South Sudan, where 1,223 women die for every 100,000 births, this is particularly worrying.

World Weather Attribution co-lead Friederike Otto said the study highlighted how people already affected by inequality also experience disproportionate harm from human-made climate change.

“Unyielding gender roles, the need to care for children and a lack of other options than exposing
themselves to excruciating heat, means that in war-torn South Sudan, each of the now frequent
heatwaves hits women more, deepening the divide between the genders,” Otto said.

Climate Change

The study also looked at the role human-made climate change, which is driven primarily by the burning of fossil fuels, played in last month’s heatwave. The increase in extreme heat globally is a direct result of our warming planet, which is driven by greenhouse gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere. This raises Earth’s surface temperature, leading to longer and hotter heatwaves.

It concluded that climate change has made the heat event at least 10 times more likely and some 2C hotter. It also warned that similar events are no longer a rare event in South Sudan, and can occur about once a decade in today’s climate, which is about 1.3C warmer than pre-industrial times. In a 2.6C warming scenario – a realistic scenario under current global emissions reduction pledges – they could occur as often as every year.

Featured image: UNMISS/Flickr.

You might also like: How the Climate Justice Movement Can Solve Global Gender Inequalities

The post South Sudanese Women Disproportionally Affected By Climate Change-Fueled Heat: Study appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including Trump’s latest moves to halt key climate efforts in and outside the US and Europe’s new AI-powered weather monitoring system.

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1. Warfare Now Largest Source of Ukraine’s Annual Carbon Emissions, Report Warns on Third Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion

The war in Ukraine has become the largest source of carbon emissions in the country, according to a new report released on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Emissions topped 230 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) at the end of the third year of conflict, an assessment by non-profit Initiative on GHG Accounting of War revealed. This is the equivalent of the annual emissions of Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia combined or the annual emissions of 120 million fossil fuel-powered automobiles, it said.

A team of researchers attributed the sharp rise primarily to warfare. This includes fuel-powered tanks, fortification construction, as well as the manufacturing and use of ammunition, explosives, and military equipment. They also found that the impact on climate from artillery shells remained significant throughout 2024 despite drones becoming a prominent feature of the conflict.

Read the full article.

2. Trump Ends US Initiative to Boost Renewable Energy Projects, Electricity in Africa

The Trump administration has terminated most projects carried out under Power Africa, a foreign aid program in a continent where some 43% of the population still lacks reliable access to electricity.

Launched in 2013 under then-president Barack Obama, the program sought to support renewable energy initiatives and enhance electricity access for over 600 million people. It operated under the now-shuttered US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Power Africa received just over $1 billion from the US since its inception. But that finance went a long way, enabling a cumulative $29 billion in power project finance from others. Over 150 power projects adding 15,498 megawatts to power generation in Africa, have reached financial close, enabling electricity access for some 216 million users.

Since Trump took office in January, over 90% of USAID programs around the world have been terminated, resulting in the loss of jobs for approximately 1,600 federal workers

Read the full article.

3. BP Increases Oil and Gas Investments, Drops Renewable Targets

The British multinational announced its plans on Wednesday, describing it as a “strategic reset” as it looks to boost performance and reduce net debt. As part of the new strategy, the company will grow oil and gas investment by about 20% to $10 billion per year and production between 2.3 million and 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2030. 

Funding for the energy transition – including renewables, hydrogen, biogas, biofuels, electric vehicle charging, and carbon capture and storage – will be instead cut by more than $5 billion to $1.5-2 billion yearly.

BP’s carbon-cutting target had stood out as one of the industry’s most ambitious when it was announced in 2020. But this week, BP’s Chief Executive Murray Auchincloss said the company had gone “too far, too fast” in transitioning away from fossil fuels, and that its faith in green energy was “misplaced,” the BBC reported.

Read the full article.

4. Europe’s New AI Weather Forecasting Model Up to 20% More Accurate Than Conventional Methods

The Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS) is the first fully operational weather prediction open model using machine learning technology, and will run side by side with its traditional physics-based Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) said in a press release on Tuesday. The independent agency, which is headquartered in the UK, tested the model over the past 18 months and found that it outperformed conventional models’ predictions by up to 20%.

But aside from higher accuracy rates, including in predicting the track of tropical cyclones 12 hours further ahead, the system will also require some 1,000 times less energy and will be much faster at making a forecast.

ECMWF’s Director-General Florence Rabier called the new system a “milestone” that will “transform weather science and predictions” and make global predictions freely available to everyone at any time.

Read the full article.

5. Trump Pulls US Out of Key Global Climate Assessment Ahead of Meeting in China

US State Department officials didn’t take part in a meeting in Hangzhou, China this week, where the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is set to agree on the outlines, timelines, and budget of its upcoming reports – the Seventh Assessment Report and the Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.

Sources told various media late last week that the State Department delegation’s travel plans had been denied. President Trump also ordered federal scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Global Change Research Program to stop work on all other IPCC climate assessment-related activities, a NASA spokesperson told CNN.

Johan Rockström, an internationally acclaimed Earth scientist and Director of Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the move was “another irresponsible self-destructive US behaviour” that “will damage US science and society.”

Read the full article.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for February 24-28, 2025 appeared first on Earth.Org.