Climate change in Senegal
Climate change in Senegal will have wide reaching impacts on many aspects of life in Senegal. Climate change will cause an increase in average temperatures over west Africa by between 1.5 and 4 °C (3 °F and 7 °F) by mid-century, relative to 1986–2005.[1] Projections of rainfall indicate an overall decrease in rainfall and an increase in intense mega-storm events over the Sahel.[2][3] The sea level is expected to rise faster in West Africa than the global average.[4][5] Although Senegal is currently not a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.[6][7]
Extreme drought is impacting agriculture, and causing food and job insecurity. More than 70% of the population is employed in the agricultural sector. Sea level rise and resulting coastal erosion is expected to cause damage to coastal infrastructure and displace a large percentage of the population living in coastal areas. Climate change also has the potential to increase land degradation that will likely increase desertification in eastern Senegal, leading to an expansion of the Sahara.[8]
Greenhouse gas emissions
Senegal is currently not a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. The country contributes less than a ton of CO2 per person per year (compared to the global average of over 6 tons per person per year[11]) and placing 150th in the list of countries by CO
2 emissions.[6] However, it is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.[6][7]
Energy consumption
Most energy in Senegal is produced from fossil fuels,[12] predominantly diesel and gas. A small portion of Senegal's energy comes from renewable energy, such as the Manantali Dam in Mali and a new wind farm in Thiès.
Fossil fuel production
Historically, Senegal was not a major producer of fossil fuels but significant discoveries in natural gas, have led to a major increase in production.[13]
Impacts on the natural environment
Temperature and weather changes
West Africa is expected to be affected by climate change caused by rising temperatures, decreased rainfall, increased mega-storms and rising sea levels. Average temperatures over west Africa are projected to increase by between 1.5 and 4 °C (34.7 and 39.2 °F) by mid-century, relative to 1986–2005.[1] Projections of rainfall indicate an overall decrease in rainfall and an increase in intense mega-storm events over the Sahel.[2][3]
Sea level rise
The sea level is expected to rise faster in West Africa then the global average.[4][5]
Water resources
The main
Ecosystems
The combination of increased temperatures and decreased rainfall will likely increase desertification in eastern Senegal, leading to expansion of the Sahara.[8]
Impacts on people
Economic impacts
Agriculture
Like in other parts of West Africa, the expected extreme weather including more severe drought in the Sahel region is expected to greatly effect food security and agricultural yields.[15]
Climate change is likely to result in reduced yields of key crops, including sorghum and millet, placing pressure on rural livelihoods[16] since agriculture employs about 70% of the population of Senegal. For example, some projections suggest that between 2000 - 2009 there was a 10 -20% reduction in millet and a 5 - 15% reduction in sorghum yields due to climate change.[16] Climate change adaptation for millet and sorghum include options such as increasing crop tolerances to high temperatures during the flowering period[17][18] and increasing cultivars’ thermal time requirement.[18][19]
Moreover, animal herding communities, which include about 2.5 million people in the broader Sahel region, will be severally impacted, because weather variability will lead to increased overgrazing, pressure on water supplies, and subsequent effects on the economic viability of herding communities.[20] For example, in 2017, pressures on lands led to increased demand for manufactured animal feed, causing prices to skyrocket and farmers to sell large portions of their herds.[20]
Impacts on housing
Sea level rise is expected to displace a large percentage of Senegal's population.
Mitigation and adaptation
Policies and legislation
In 2006, Senegal initiated a National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) as part of the larger trend to create National Adaptation Plans.[15][9] A National Committee on Climate Change was appointed by presidential degree to support the program.[15] Additionally, there is a Climate Fund that is an instrument of climate finance.[14]
International cooperation
In 2015, Senegal released its
Society and culture
Activism
At the same time that these policies are in place, there is evidence that they are not fully being acted on. For example, an article in The Nation focused on climate justice described how a coal fire power plan was built in Bargny, Senegal, a site that had been identified by the government as a displacement location for communities displaced by sea level rise.[6]
References
- ^ a b Niang, I; Ruppel, O.C; Abdrabo, M.A; Essel, A; Lennard, C; Padgham, J; Urquhart, P (2014). Africa. Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. pp. 1199–1265.
- ^ ISSN 1944-8007.
- ^ PMID 32817526.
- ^ a b "Sea-Level Rise: West Africa Is Sinking". Earth.Org - Past | Present | Future. 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ hdl:10986/31428.
- ^ ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ a b team, FPFIS (2018-11-22). "Fossil CO
2 emissions of all world countries - 2018 Report". EU Science Hub - European Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-26. - ^ a b c "Senegal | UNDP Climate Change Adaptation". www.adaptation-undp.org. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ a b "National Adaptation Plans in focus: Lessons from Senegal | UNDP Climate Change Adaptation". www.adaptation-undp.org. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ a b c "Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Senegal". International Institute for Sustainable Development. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ Ge, Mengpin; Friedrich, Johannes; Vigna, Leandro (2020-02-06). "4 Charts Explain Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Countries and Sectors". World Resources Institute. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
- ^ "Power Africa in Senegal | Power Africa | U.S. Agency for International Development". www.usaid.gov. 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
- ^ "Senegal Energy Outlook – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
- ^ a b c "Climate Risk Profile: Senegal". Climatelinks. USAID. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ a b c "Senegal factsheet: Climate information and agricultural planning". 2016report.futureclimateafrica.org. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ PMID 31492929.
- ISSN 2190-4979.
- ^ ISSN 0168-1923.
- ISSN 1748-9326.
- ^ a b "How climate change is plunging Senegal's herders into poverty". The New Humanitarian. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2020-11-26.