Climate change in Sudan

In Sudan, climate change has caused an increase in temperatures, a decline in rainfall and driven desertification.^[4] Climate change poses significant challenges for rainfed agriculture and therefore the entire economy.^[5] Analysis of weather patterns suggest drought conditions and other extreme weather increased in Sudan during the 20th century.^[6] The relationship between climate change, water conflict and the war in Sudan has also been a topic of academic debate.^[7]

Köppen climate classification map for Sudan for 1980–2016

2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely.^[1][2][3]

Drought conditions near Khartoum

Blue Nile state has experienced significant impacts from climate change, being one of Sudan's fastest-warming regions. Since the 1970s, temperatures have risen by 1 °C (1.8 °F) each year. Moreover, there has been a 30 years decline in rainfall, which is becoming more irregular. Groundwater depletion has been observed Wad el-Mahi. Seasonal floods from the Blue Nile river and other streams have also worsened environmental conditions. Environmental degradation has been exacerbated by the excessive cutting of trees for charcoal production and improper handling of liquid and solid waste.^[8]

See also

• List of Sudan floods
• Climate change in the Middle East and North Africa
• Climate change in South Sudan

References

1. Hausfather, Zeke; Peters, Glen (29 January 2020). "Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading". Nature. 577 (7792): 618–20. Bibcode:2020Natur.577..618H. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3. PMID 31996825.
2. Schuur, Edward A.G.; Abbott, Benjamin W.; Commane, Roisin; Ernakovich, Jessica; Euskirchen, Eugenie; Hugelius, Gustaf; Grosse, Guido; Jones, Miriam; Koven, Charlie; Leshyk, Victor; Lawrence, David; Loranty, Michael M.; Mauritz, Marguerite; Olefeldt, David; Natali, Susan; Rodenhizer, Heidi; Salmon, Verity; Schädel, Christina; Strauss, Jens; Treat, Claire; Turetsky, Merritt (2022). "Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic". Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 47: 343–371. doi:10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847. Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement...
3. Phiddian, Ellen (5 April 2022). "Explainer: IPCC Scenarios". Cosmos. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023. "The IPCC doesn't make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C.
4. Alvi, Shamsul Haque (1994-08-01). "Climatic changes, desertification and the Republic of Sudan". GeoJournal. 33 (4): 393–399. doi:10.1007/BF00806422. ISSN 1572-9893. S2CID 189882209.
5. Siddig, Khalid; Stepanyan, Davit; Wiebelt, Manfred; Grethe, Harald; Zhu, Tingju (2020-03-01). "Climate change and agriculture in the Sudan: Impact pathways beyond changes in mean rainfall and temperature". Ecological Economics. 169: 106566. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106566. hdl:10568/101350. ISSN 0921-8009. S2CID 146321871.
6. Elagib, Nadir Ahmed; Mansell, Martin G. (2000-04-01). "Climate impacts of environmental degradation in Sudan". GeoJournal. 50 (4): 311–327. doi:10.1023/A:1011071917001. ISSN 1572-9893. S2CID 153835620.
7. Selby, Jan; Hoffmann, Clemens (2014-11-01). "Beyond scarcity: Rethinking water, climate change and conflict in the Sudans". Global Environmental Change. 29: 360–370. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.01.008. hdl:11693/53618. ISSN 0959-3780. S2CID 26353802.
8. "Situation in the Blue Nile" (PDF). unicef.org.

External links

• Sudan at the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal