🌍 Somalia Faces Dire Climate Challenges but There`s Still Hope

Somalia, despite being one of the world's poorest nations and plagued by violence, is still "fixable," according to Abdihakim Ainte, the climate advisor to the Somali prime minister. The country has endured over 30 years of overlapping conflicts—ranging from civil war and Islamist insurgency to regional and clan confrontations. Yet, Ainte believes Somalia remains a "story of potential and promise." What makes this optimism striking is that climate change is worsening nearly all the country's challenges. Often referred to as a “chaos multiplier,” climate change exacerbates existing tensions in fragile states like Somalia. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions—Somalia's total carbon output since the 1950s equals what the U.S. emits in just three days—the country is bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Agriculture, a cornerstone of Somalia’s economy with two-thirds of the population depending on farming and herding, has been hit hard by climate change. In 2022, the country experienced its worst drought in 40 years, made 100 times more likely by human-caused climate change. Farmers and herders like Sheik Don Ismail are directly affected, with many, like him, losing their livelihoods. The drought left farmers competing for water and pasture, sometimes resulting in armed conflicts. Yet, drought isn't Somalia’s only challenge. Last year, devastating floods, intensified by global warming, swept through the country, displacing over a million people and destroying precious farmland. These climate-related disasters have left millions in need of humanitarian assistance, with 1.5 million children under the age of five acutely malnourished, according to the UN.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, there are rays of hope. Renewable energy is gaining traction in places like Garowe, where local entrepreneurs are investing in solar and wind power to replace costly diesel generators. Entrepreneurs like Amina Osman Mohamed have found ways to thrive, turning small profits into sustainable businesses that support their families. Somalia still needs international support. The UN estimates that at least $1.6 billion is required to meet the basic needs of Somalis this year, but only a fraction of that has been pledged. With climate change exacerbating the conflict, continued global assistance is essential to foster peace and build resilience against the changing climate.