Wrap Up 2022 - The Year In Climate
2022 has been quite the eventful year in climate. There have been new developments in terms of policies and laws, several steps forward, but climate impacts continue throughout the whole world and emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest ever, and have yet to peak so as to start falling.
Let’s begin with January which came hot on the heels of the
Glasgow Pact, birthed at COP26 in the same city. A UN agency raised concern
about drought in the Horn of Africa as Somalia in particular, which is one of the
countries hard hit by climate change; this also worsens conflict in the area.
Extreme weather connected to climate change continues as Tropical storm Ana hits
the Southern African nations of Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in
January causing untold damage, forcing displacements and taking 171 valuable
African lives. The Amazon faces a bad run of deforestation losing about 360 kilometers
of forest. Australia faces high extremes of temperature. The Global Risks
Report fingers climate change as one of the global risks faced by the world. On
a positive note, scientists discover a new coral reef near Tahiti.
February starts with the tropical storms Batsirai, Emnati
taking 136 lives in Madagascar and another storm Dumako kills 14 human beings
in Madagascar and Mozambique. Studies show that these storms have become more
frequent and have stronger rainfall because of climate change. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change releases the WG11[1]
report on adaptation, impacts and vulnerability. It notes that both ecosystems
and billions in the human world are more and more affected by climate change.
The least responsible suffer the worst and the impacts on livelihoods, the
economy, security, food security and migration are huge. The drought in Somali
worsens as dry conditions persist throughout the Horn of Africa countries later
affecting about 20 million people. This month was the 4th hottest
February in recorded history.
March again brings another Tropical storm, Gombe, taking 103
lives in Mozambique and Malawi. The Kenyan town of Lodwar records extreme
temperatures of 40 degrees. The country records extremely hot days and nights.
Climate strikes begin all over the world, with the theme “People Not Profit.” 5th
March which is women’s day becomes a perfect occasion to raise the issue of
gender in climate change. Several climate agitation groups urge an end to the
global use of fossil fuels. The Middle East and North Africa Climate week takes
place in the UAE and the world meteorological day raises awareness on early
warnings on climate change which propels early action. Discussions take place
on the global goal on adaptation and he global stock take which both begin in
2023. March 2022 is the fifth warmest in recorded history with near record low Antarctic
sea ice registered by NOAA.
April 2022 debuts with the IPCC[2]
finalizing on its WG111[3]
report centered on ‘updated global assessment on climate change mitigation
progress, pledges made and sources of global emissions.’ It evaluates NDCs in
light of long term emission goals. The conclusion is that we still need quick,
deeper and sustained emissions cuts if there’s to be hope for keeping within
1.5 degrees. The World Health Organization notes that over 99% of people
breathe polluted air. The air quality is that bad, and so they call for an end
to fossil fuels especially coal. Solar and wind which are renewables pick up
very strongly and the IPCC notes they are the best for cutting emissions (most
ghg emissions are from the use of coal, oil and natural gas which are fossil
fuels.) Elsewhere, deforestation is still a major concern as the climate
impacts of water come to the forefront in California which is facing an intense
3 year drought, leading to lower water supply and higher energy demand. Tropical storm Jasmine hits Madagascar
impacting about 5000. This increases the threat of water and foodborne diseases
especially outbreaks of cholera and malaria which are reported within the
affected areas. It also affects schooling, security, destroys property and
introduces food insecurity. Again, least responsible, most affected. India
records extreme temperatures as a heat wave sweeps through the region. South
Africa receives record rainfall causing the death of 459 from record floods. However,
Earth Day shines a light on the need to invest in our planet. Furthermore, China
intends to add more sectors to its emission trading scheme, the largest of its
kind. This April ties with 2010 as the fifth warmest in the 143 year record
kept by NOAA[4].
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| Photo by Emmanuel/Iwaria |
May begins with record heat waves sweeping through India and swathes of Europe prompting the WMO[5] to say that there’s a 50:50 chance of mean global temperatures reaching 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels between 2022 and 2026. Sandstorms begin blowing across the Middle East causing hospital admissions and interrupting flights. On an upbeat note, Tokyo requires new homes to have solar panels as from 2025, while California sets a carbon neutrality goal by 2045. May 2022 ties with 2018 and 2021 as the fifth warmest.
June 2022 is ushered in by torrential rains in Sudan, while drought in the Horn of Africa worsens as the fourth rainy season fails, putting at risk millions and leading to the loss of livestock. Heat waves continue in Italy, Germany, Spain and France, and the Asian nations of China and Japan as well as in the USA. Pakistan floods heavily after an extra severe monsoon season which was preceded by an earlier heat wave. Kenya and Portugal jointly host the UN Ocean Conference while the World Environment Day on June 5th raises awareness that we only have one earth. Sweden notifies the public on its intention to stop issuance of new fossil fuel extraction licenses as from July while Canada intends to ban plastic straws and shopping bags. The Bonn climate conference, a precursor to COP27 takes place in the face of loss and damages caused by climate change. The USA and NATO both crucially speak out on the need to act on climate while IRENA[6] notes that energy efficiency and clean energy technology will be what mainly propels energy by the half century mark. June 2022 is the third warmest as recorded by the Copernicus Institute.
July starts with stark statistics. It is the third warmest in history and also records lowest Antarctic sea ice ever. Deadly wildfires in Europe lead to evacuation of thousands and increases risk of heat related illnesses while upping energy demand. The WMO head notes ‘this kind of heatwave as the new normal’ as wildfires ravage the USA consuming 5.7 million acres of ground which is one and a half times more than normal. Tunisia battles record temperatures and wildfires, losing substantial acreage of food crops, forests and having negative impacts all round. Eastern Africa experiences some cool temperatures but the rain is a sprinkling. All these factors have an impact on agriculture. The Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week is held in the Dominican Republic.
August hosts the Africa Climate Week in Gabon. The event
explores climate resilience, transition to low emission economy and partnerships
to solve pressing challenges. Chad is again hit by massive floods after the
previous event in June, from extra heavy rainfall (the strongest in three
decades) as Algeria battles wildfires from high temperatures. All this damages
the economy, displaces people and destroys livelihoods. And continues to set
the stage for loss and damage deliberations later on. August 2022 records the
third highest temperatures after August 2017 and August 2021, as registered by
the Copernicus Institute.
September 2022 begins with the IEA[7]
noting that of the 65 million people working in the energy sector, slightly
more than half are in the renewables. The high court in South Africa stops the
oil company Shell from drilling along ‘the ecologically fragile’ Eastern Cape Province
coast. Indonesia and Norway strike a pact to protect forests while Denmark sets
the pace by pledging to contribute to loss and damage kitty. The WMO notes we
are ‘headed in the wrong direction’ through its United In Science report. Extreme
weather continues with typhoon Hinnamnor hitting South Korea and the Amazon
facing the most intense fires in a decade. The UN[8]
reports that extreme heat and forest fires reduce ‘air quality and impact human
health’ especially this century. Human caused climate change negatively impacts
ecosystems which is evidenced by the significant death of wildlife in Kenyan
game parks and protected areas as a result of the sustained drought. Hurricane Ian hits the USA with considerable
damage as Japan is faced by typhoon Namadol. This September is the fifth
warmest September as per NOAA.
October starts with global concern about the grave effects
on public health and infrastructural damage in Pakistan which needs international
help to regroup and rebuild after the record floods. Over a thousand have now
lost their lives. Parts of Australia flood as well while the HOA[9]
region experiences the worst drought in four decades (fourty years) after the
rains fail to come for the fifth straight season. The situation now becomes
dire. Nigeria is also hit by extreme floods which are influenced by climate
change. 0ver 600 lives are lost, 1.5 million displaced and the impact on
farmlands and homes which are washed away is immense. Schooling stops in some
affected parts of the country. The tropical cyclone Sitrang hits Bangladesh
while Central and West Africa including Ghana experience displacement from
heavy flooding. Chad in fact announces a state of emergency as a result. On the
other hand record autumn heat continues in Spain.
Elsewhere, during the UNGA[10],
a UN climate and human rights rapporteur brings to the fore the climate
injustice visited by rich nations, particularly the G20 (the highest global
emitters), upon the most vulnerable communities and the natural world. The
World Bank commits to help Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania by giving 200
million dollars to protect against flooding. In terms of policy, the UNFCCC[11]
releases a report ahead of COP27 urging for more ambition to lessen emissions.
The existing pledges are still not enough to limit warming to the global
climate goals. Positively, 24 nations update or submit new NDCs[12].
In fact when all 193 NDCs are analyzed in combination, we are headed to 2.5
degrees warming by 2100. The IPCC had earlier noted emissions need to be cut by
45% by 2030 to prevent the worst climate impacts on people and nature. NOAA
records October 2022 as the fourth warmest in history.
November begins with the climate conference at Sharm el
Sheikh in Egypt. COP27 picks from where Glasgow had left off and is focused
primarily on implementation and adaptation. A wide range of decisions are taken
but action falls short on cutting emissions and especially ‘phasing out fossil
fuel subsidies and coal in particular.’ Some parties in a bid to protect
themselves continue to put others at increased risk of climate impacts. One of
the positive outcomes however is that a loss and damage fund is finally agreed
upon. Given the extent of the damages and losses in the world, this came at the
right time. Somalia and associated regions face the brunt of climate change and
the world is challenged to send climate finance to where it is lacking but is needed
the most: in countries like Somalia. The Kenyan government gives 2 billion
shillings towards hunger alleviation efforts in many counties suffering from
the drought. Millions of livestock are now dead, of which livestock keeping is
the main economic activity of pastoralist communities. Millions of livelihoods
are also in the balance, and food prices surge as the economic impact visibly
hits the country. Groundwater levels hit a record low as boreholes dry up. A
lot of surface water like rivers also dry up. Communities are now in the full
grip of the climate crisis and the government and other organizations start
mobilizing food supplies and transport. The government also begins a massive
tree planting and growing drive.
In other places the
Egyptian president notes that the Middle East and Mediterranean are also impacted
by climate change, a point raised in COP27 especially towards coral reefs
protection in Egypt. WHO[13]
notes that climate change caused migration and associated impacts have
increased in Bangladesh. Right on time, the UNEP[14]
head asks the G20 countries to show leadership by cutting emissions while the
IEA also asks the world to cut coal emissions in order to prevent severe climate
impacts. Renewable energy continues to grow by leaps and bounds as Africa’s
massive potential in this area attracts considerable interest. The youth
especially from the Global South now have a more prominent voice at the annual
climate meets. The continent-wide African Carbon Market Initiative is launched
at COP27.
November 2022 is the 9th warmest globally.
December, the last month concludes 2022 with the year on
track to be a part of the 10 warmest years. Kenya shows leadership by
committing to protect its lands, doing its part for climate by continuing the
tree growing campaign. It’s been a year of really positive climate action as
renewable energy grew by leaps and bounds. Europe saw an increase of 50% in
solar as new research brought forth vastly less expensive and ecologically
healthy ways to manufacture storage batteries for renewables. Africa is perhaps
the fastest growing market for solar, wind and hydro power.
Once again, renewables are set to trounce coal in energy
generation in the USA. A company that combats plastic pollution by use of
seaweed and another that produces clean cookstoves won the Earthshot prize,
while France and Belgium started to restrict short flights and old polluting
aircraft, encouraging less polluting travel by rail (trains). The EU plans to
tax imports from steel and cement industries and China is constructing the
biggest wind farm globally. Brazil in which a big portion of the Amazon is, has
through the new administration pledged to cut deforestation and protect the
forest expanses. And there’s a new global deal to protect biodiversity, which
is closely interlinked with climate action. The UN also intends to initialize
early warning systems on a global scale for climate shocks and while more is
needed, political action and public opinion seems to sway heavily in favour of
climate action.
2023 will see more action as the world undertakes the global
stocktake and finalizes on the global goal on adaptation. Perhaps, global
emissions of greenhouse gases will peak. The good thing is that in terms of
awareness, there has been continued growth which we can only hope will be
matched by action.
[1]
Working Group 2
[2]
Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change
[3]
Working Group 3
[4]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (U.S.A)
[5]
World Meteorological Organization
[6]
International Renewable Energy Agency
[7]
International Energy Agency
[8]
United Nations
[9]
Horn Of Africa
[10]
United Nations General Assembly
[11]United
Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change
[12]
Nationally Determined Contributions
[13]
World Health Organization
[14]
United Nations Environment Program
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