Recent extreme heat in South Sudan, exacerbated by climate change, has forced school closures and poses significant risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Researchers highlight the region's unique challenges amid global warming trends.
Climate Crisis Intensifies Heat Waves in South Sudan
Climate Crisis Intensifies Heat Waves in South Sudan
A new study reveals how climate change has increased the likelihood and severity of extreme heat in South Sudan, impacting public health and safety.
Article text:
In February 2025, South Sudan's capital experienced a severe heat wave that led to school closures after numerous students suffered from heat-related illnesses. This is the second instance within a year where schools had to close due to the mounting dangers posed by extreme temperatures.
According to a recent study conducted by World Weather Attribution, climate change—primarily driven by emissions from wealthier nations—has made such heat events significantly more probable. The study suggests that the heat wave was at least ten times more likely to occur due to climate change, contributing to an increase in temperatures by approximately 2 degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Some areas reported temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) during late February.
The findings stem from a combination of weather data, observational records, and climate modeling approaches, though they have yet to undergo a peer review process. Joyce Kimutai, a researcher at Imperial College London, emphasized that South Sudan, which has contributed minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, is bearing an outsized burden of climate impacts. "The continent has contributed a tiny fraction of global emissions, but is bearing the brunt of climate change," she stated.
Heat waves pose severe health risks and are the deadliest among extreme weather events, becoming increasingly frequent in a warming world. However, the methods of analyzing the correlation between extreme heat and mortality rates often differ across regions, leading to challenges in accurately reporting the death tolls that can linger for months following an event.
Children, seniors, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to prolonged heat exposure. For several weeks, excessive heat has gripped a large swath of Eastern Africa, affecting parts of Kenya and Uganda. Residents are advised to remain indoors and stay hydrated, a daunting task in areas where outdoor work is commonplace, electricity is inconsistent, and access to clean water is limited, thereby underscoring the dire implications of climate change in the region.
In February 2025, South Sudan's capital experienced a severe heat wave that led to school closures after numerous students suffered from heat-related illnesses. This is the second instance within a year where schools had to close due to the mounting dangers posed by extreme temperatures.
According to a recent study conducted by World Weather Attribution, climate change—primarily driven by emissions from wealthier nations—has made such heat events significantly more probable. The study suggests that the heat wave was at least ten times more likely to occur due to climate change, contributing to an increase in temperatures by approximately 2 degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Some areas reported temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) during late February.
The findings stem from a combination of weather data, observational records, and climate modeling approaches, though they have yet to undergo a peer review process. Joyce Kimutai, a researcher at Imperial College London, emphasized that South Sudan, which has contributed minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, is bearing an outsized burden of climate impacts. "The continent has contributed a tiny fraction of global emissions, but is bearing the brunt of climate change," she stated.
Heat waves pose severe health risks and are the deadliest among extreme weather events, becoming increasingly frequent in a warming world. However, the methods of analyzing the correlation between extreme heat and mortality rates often differ across regions, leading to challenges in accurately reporting the death tolls that can linger for months following an event.
Children, seniors, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to prolonged heat exposure. For several weeks, excessive heat has gripped a large swath of Eastern Africa, affecting parts of Kenya and Uganda. Residents are advised to remain indoors and stay hydrated, a daunting task in areas where outdoor work is commonplace, electricity is inconsistent, and access to clean water is limited, thereby underscoring the dire implications of climate change in the region.
