Somalia, a nation devastated by over 30 years of conflict, is now grappling with a rapidly worsening crisis: climate change. The country, which has been riddled with an Islamist insurgency, civil war, and local clan confrontations, is one of the poorest in the world. Despite this, Abdihakim Ainte, climate advisor to Somalia’s prime minister, maintains a sense of optimism, seeing Somalia as a country with potential and promise.
What makes Ainte’s optimism remarkable is that climate change is exacerbating nearly every issue Somalia faces. Climate change has been described as a “chaos multiplier” in fragile states, like Somalia, where pre-existing tensions become magnified. The country is bearing the brunt of climate impacts, despite contributing very little to global emissions. Since the 1950s, Somalia has emitted roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide as the U.S. does in just three days.
Agriculture, the backbone of Somalia’s economy, has been hit hard. Two-thirds of the population depend on farming and animal herding for their livelihoods. In 2022, Somalia faced its worst drought in 40 years, an event made 100 times more likely due to human-caused climate change, according to scientists.
During this devastating drought, Somali camel herders and small-scale farmers faced severe challenges. Sheik Don Ismail, one of the many pastoralists, lost all his camels as grazing grounds vanished. “The life we lead now is really bad,” he lamented, highlighting the dire conditions caused by the erratic weather patterns.
Compounding the agricultural collapse, disputes over scarce resources like water and pastureland have led to increased violence. Communities that have lived in harmony for centuries are now engaged in armed confrontations over these life-sustaining resources. Somalia’s history of clan-based divisions only worsens the conflict, as these local disputes often escalate into large-scale violence.
Flooding is another climate-induced catastrophe affecting the country. Heavy rains, intensified by global warming, washed away farmlands and displaced over one million people last year. Somalia’s “climate double whammy” of severe droughts and floods is pushing many Somalis into dire straits, leaving millions acutely malnourished. The United Nations estimates that 1.5 million children under five are currently suffering from acute malnutrition.
The impacts of climate and conflict have also created a reservoir of potential recruits for Somalia’s many armed groups. Families struggling for survival in refugee camps are forced into desperate measures. As resources dwindle, more young men turn to militias for a source of income. Halima Ibrahim Ali Mohamud, a resident of one such camp, shared her heartbreak over her husband and sons who became fighters out of necessity. “When you are without food long enough, and your children are looking at you, you will do anything,” she said.
Despite these overwhelming challenges, there are glimmers of hope. In Garowe, Somalia, local businesses and power companies are investing in renewable energy, harnessing wind and solar power. This transition to renewables is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Somali people. It’s not driven by international aid, but by economic necessity – renewables are cheaper and more reliable than the diesel generators once relied upon.
Entrepreneurs like Amina Osman Mohamed are also finding ways to thrive in the most adverse circumstances. Starting with nothing, she borrowed food to cook and sell, slowly building a small, successful café to support her family of 11. Stories like Amina’s embody the spirit of resilience that gives Somali leaders like Abdihakim Ainte hope for the future.
Somalia’s problems, turbo-charged by climate change, are vast. However, the country’s determination and resourcefulness provide a glimmer of optimism. With continued international support and local efforts to adapt to the changing climate, Somalia may yet overcome its deep-rooted challenges and move towards a more stable and prosperous future.
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