drought
Newsletter
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Maasai pastoralists turn to fish farming as drought decimates cattle
A devastating drought in Kenya has killed millions of livestock, forcing Maasai and other pastoralist communities to explore alternative livelihoods like fish farming and camel rearing.
Zelipha Kirobi, Desmond Tiro, and Evelyne Musambi report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The prolonged drought in Kenya has killed more than 2.6 million livestock, pushing pastoralists to reconsider their reliance on cattle.
- The Maasai and other herders are turning to fish farming and camels, which are more drought-resistant, to cope with climate change.
- The Kajiado government supports fish farming as a new source of income for pastoralists, with over 600 families participating.
Key quote:
“We never used to live near lakes and oceans, so fish was very foreign for us. We grew up seeing our elders eat cows and goats.”
— Kelena ole Nchoi, Maasai Council of Elders chair
Why this matters:
Shifting climates threaten traditional livelihoods, forcing communities to adapt to new sources of income and food. This transformation highlights the broader impacts of global climate change on cultural practices and food security.
Related: Maasai livelihoods at stake as conservation efforts expand in Tanzania
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Namibia to slaughter elephants and zebras due to drought
Namibia plans to cull more than 700 animals, including elephants and hippos, to provide meat for people facing severe food insecurity during the country’s worst drought in a century.
In short:
- Namibia will cull 83 elephants, 30 hippos and other animals, distributing the meat to drought-stricken communities.
- The drought, caused by El Niño, has left nearly half of Namibia’s population facing acute food insecurity.
- The cull also aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict and alleviate pressure on natural resources.
Key quote:
“We are happy that we can assist the country in this very difficult time and when [it’s] absolutely needed.”
— Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism
Why this matters:
The drought in Namibia is a stark example of how climate change exacerbates natural disasters, leading to extreme measures like wildlife culls to prevent human starvation and manage ecosystems.
Learn more:
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Canada’s 2023 wildfires released more carbon than nearly all countries
Wildfires that burned through Canada’s boreal forests in 2023 emitted more carbon dioxide than most countries, raising concerns about the future of global carbon storage.
In short:
- The 2023 Canadian wildfires emitted more carbon than all but three countries, complicating climate models.
- Boreal forests, vital for carbon storage, may no longer regrow as they used to due to frequent intense fires.
- Extreme weather, driven by climate change, is making catastrophic wildfires like these more common.
Key quote:
“These so-called flash droughts can really change things rapidly. It dried up real quick, real quick, and then you had lightning at the absolute worst time imaginable.”
— Marc-André Parisien, senior researcher, Canadian Forest Service
Why this matters:
As climate change accelerates, forests that once absorbed carbon may now contribute to global warming. This shift could worsen climate predictions, making it harder to limit global temperature rise.
Related EHN coverage:
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Greek farmers and wildlife struggle as drought depletes water supplies
Farmers and residents in northern Greece are battling severe water shortages as persistent droughts have dried up lakes, wells and groundwater, threatening crops and wildlife.
In short:
- The ongoing drought has forced farmers like Dimitris Papadakis to rely on water trucks to irrigate their fields, as groundwater sources dry up.
- The drought, worsened by climate change and tourism, has led to extreme water scarcity, impacting both human and animal populations.
- Experts emphasize the urgent need for improved water management, including conservation and reuse strategies, to combat future droughts.
Key quote:
“These drought phenomena will return with greater intensity in the future. We need to take action and plan ahead to minimize their impact… and we must adapt to this new reality.”
— Konstantinos S. Voudouris, professor of hydrogeology at the University of Thessaloniki
Why this matters:
Northern Greece's persistent drought is a stark reminder of the escalating climate crisis. Without better water management, agricultural losses and wildlife deaths could become increasingly common.
Related: Greece embraces energy democracy with citizen-driven renewable energy
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Credit: Christine Donaldson/Unsplash
Villagers in Zimbabwe dig riverbeds for water as drought worsens
Severe drought in Zimbabwe is forcing residents to dig into dry riverbeds to find water, as nearly 70 million people across southern Africa face food and water shortages.
In short:
- Residents in northern Zimbabwe are digging into dry riverbeds to extract water, with rivers and dams in the region depleted.
- Food scarcity is worsening; hospital admissions for malnourished children have doubled since June.
- A local feeding program for children is struggling due to dwindling food supplies and limited rainfall.
Key quote:
"As you can see, the cattle are drinking from the same pit as us. Their urine is right there... it is not very healthy. I have never seen anything like this."
— Gracious Phiri, a mother of five
Why this matters:
With millions facing hunger and water shortages, the crisis in Zimbabwe highlights the urgent need for international aid and sustainable solutions to combat the effects of climate change in southern Africa.
Be sure to read Peter Dykstra’s piece: Of water and fever.
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Spain relies on desalination to meet its water needs
Spain increasingly uses desalination to address water shortages for tourism, agriculture, and growing coastal populations.
Stanley Reed and Rachel Chaundler report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Spain's Torrevieja desalination plant produces over 60 million gallons of fresh water daily, supporting 1.6 million people and agricultural needs.
- Spain leads Europe in desalination, and global reliance on desalination is growing due to urban expansion and climate change-driven droughts.
- Environmental concerns include the potential harm of high-salinity wastewater on marine life, though Spain has invested in plant expansion and environmental monitoring.
Key quote:
"We have a very high-quality water from a source of supply that is endless."
— Ana Boix, deputy manager of the Torrevieja plant
Why this matters:
As water scarcity intensifies, desalination offers a critical solution but raises environmental challenges. Desalination plants are energy-intensive, often relying on fossil fuels which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the process produces a byproduct known as brine, a highly concentrated salt solution, which if not properly managed, can severely damage marine ecosystems by altering salinity levels and degrading water quality.
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Drought crisis in the Amazon sparks urgent responses
The Amazon region is experiencing severe drought conditions earlier than expected, threatening water supplies and increasing fire risks across several countries.
In short:
- The Amazon Basin, holding a fifth of the world's fresh water, is seeing critically low river levels, prompting emergency measures across Bolivia, Peru and Brazil.
- Brazil's federal water agency declared water shortages in the Madeira and Purus basins, affecting a region nearly as large as Mexico.
- Fires are on the rise, with 25,000 incidents recorded, the most in nearly 20 years, exacerbating the threat to local communities and agriculture.
Key quote:
“It’s been two years in a row of extreme events.”
— Julie Messias, Acre's secretary of environment
Why this matters:
Early drought conditions in the Amazon impact the region’s ecosystem and economy, threatening water supply and food security. This situation could lead to increased forest fires, affecting global climate patterns and biodiversity.
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