The ongoing drought in southern parts of Madagascar could become more frequent, given the changing climate that has affected Africa’s largest island nation.
This week, experts poring over the deadly drought in Madagascar, said there is evidence this is directly linked to climate change and implied that more of extreme weather could be felt in the region.
The revelations from climate advocacy group 350.Org came as the UN warned that at least half a million children under the age of five are malnourished, 110,000 of whom are in severe condition in drought-affected southern Madagascar.
Landry Ninteretse, the Africa director for 350.0rg warned that Madagascar could experience repeated extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, cyclone or flooding; as its weather system is destroyed by changing climate from global warming.
“This Madagascar famine is the first in modern history to be caused solely by climate change alone. It’s unlikely to be the last,” Mr Ninteretse told Time magazine.
Long identified as vulnerable for having its unique wildlife, Madagascar has now come under the toll of climate change, according to a report by USAid, published in July.
For the beginning, the current drought has already killed most of the food crops and USAid said the actual long-term toll of the damage may be assessed only after the drought.
“Increased carbondioxide levels in the atmosphere are leading to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidity levels, which threaten coral ecosystems and other marine habitats of high economic and ecological value,” USAid says.
“Finally, sea level rise around Madagascar, which has the longest coastline of any country in Africa, will subject communities and habitats to increased damage from cyclonic and flooding events and may force many people permanently from their homes.”
In the immediate term, UN officials say the rush is now to alleviate malnutrition among children as it could affect an entire generation.
Source: The East African
