SOUTHERN West Africa encountered an unprecedented and early heatwave in February 2024, with temperatures soaring to hazardous levels exceeding 40°C. This alarming weather phenomenon, characterised by a combination of scorching temperatures and humid air, posed severe health hazards to residents across the region, triggering warnings from meteorological agencies in Ghana and Nigeria.
Despite the dire alerts issued by meteorological authorities, limited media coverage and a sluggish government response underscored the region’s inadequate preparedness for heat-related emergencies, leaving communities vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat.
In response to this pressing concern, scientists from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and several international partners including Switzerland, Sweden, South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and the US collaborated to investigate the role of human-induced climate change in modifying the likelihood and intensity of the February humid heatwave.
Utilising published peer-reviewed methodologies, the research team analysed the event, considering the Heat Index to account for both daily maximum temperatures and relative humidity, which exacerbate the effects of heat on human health. Their findings revealed a disturbing trend: climate change has significantly amplified the likelihood and severity of extreme heat events in southern West Africa.
According to the study, the February heatwave, previously considered a 1-in-10 year event in the current climate, experienced a 4°C increase in the area-averaged heat index due to climate change. This alarming revelation emphasises the urgent need for decisive action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance resilience in vulnerable communities.
The research also shed light on the disproportionate impact of heatwaves on marginalised populations, particularly those residing in informal settlements with limited access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and healthcare.
Despite growing awareness among national weather services and local authorities about the risks posed by heatwaves, significant gaps persist in planning and preparedness for extreme heat events across the region.
The study underscores the critical importance of adequate funding and support from developed nations to bolster Africa’s resilience to climate change, safeguarding the well-being of its citizens and ensuring sustainable development in the face of increasingly severe weather conditions.