AD1158: Comorians say climate change is making life worse, call for urgent action
Comoros, a volcanic archipelago of three islands in the Indian Ocean, is highly vulnerable to climate change and environmental risks. More than half (54%) of the country’s population resides in areas prone to natural disasters, including flooding and cyclones. Many of these settlements are concentrated along the country’s coastline, where at least 45% of sandy beaches have been lost to erosion in just 10 years. By 2050, a projected 20-centimeter rise in sea level could potentially displace 10% of the population (Klöck, 2023; World Bank, 2019; Union of Comoros, 2016).
In December 2024, Cyclone Chido struck the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli, destroying 218 houses and displacing 171 people (International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, 2025). The impact of Cyclone Kenneth in April 2019 was even more devastating: It caused at least six fatalities, damaged more than 10,800 houses, and led to the loss of 63% of food crops and 1,620 livestock (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2019; World Bank, 2019).
Over the years, Comoros’ rainy season has become shorter and more unpredictable – a particular problem for the 80% of rural residents who rely on rainfed agriculture (United Nations Development Programme, 2022). At the same time, the country is experiencing accelerated soil erosion due to deforestation, driven by land clearing for agriculture and by wood burning for ylang-ylang extraction. Many rivers in Comoros have dried up: In Anjouan, fewer than 10 of the island’s 50 rivers flow all year round (World Bank, 2019; Salm Reifferscheidt, 2021).
The Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index ranks Comoros 29th globally in vulnerability to climate change and 163rd in climate readiness (ND-GAIN, 2023). The country’s Nationally Determined Contribution to fighting climate change estimates an annual requirement of at least €130 million to effectively mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. However, financial constraints, along with technical deficits and knowledge gaps, hinder the archipelago’s capacity to meet its climate commitment (Union of Comoros, 2021; Green Climate Fund, 2022).
A special question module in Afrobarometer’s Round 10 survey (2025) explores Comorians’ experiences, awareness, and attitudes related to climate change. Findings show that about half of citizens report increased severity of drought and crop failure in their region. Many report having to adapt to changing weather patterns by adjusting their water use, reducing or rescheduling outdoor work, and altering the crops they plant or the foods they eat.
More than half of citizens have heard about climate change. Among them, majorities say it is making life worse and blame human activity for the changing weather patterns. At least three-fourths say that the Comorian government must take urgent action to limit climate change and that rich countries should help fund the country’s response.
Among all citizens, clear majorities support a range of potential policy responses to changing weather conditions, including pressuring developed countries to provide climate aid, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable technologies, promoting electric vehicles for public transport, requiring cleaner cookstoves, and banning the cutting of trees for firewood or charcoal.