Climate Change Impacts on Yemen and Adaptation Strategies ... - ReliefWeb

Climate Change Impacts on Yemen and Adaptation Strategies - Yemen | ReliefWeb

Abstract

The objective of this research is to highlight the climate-related hazards and their impacts on different sectors such as water, agriculture, coastal areas, livelihoods, and food security, and their impacts on vulnerable groups such as women, girls, children, people with disabilities, and elder people. It also sheds light on the climate-related conflicts, and mitigation and adaptation solutions that can be implemented to alleviate the impacts of climate change on the country. The methodology utilized in this research involved a combination of primary and secondary data sources. To ensure accuracy and reliability, the research team met with specialized experts and referred to authentic sources throughout the data collection process.

Yemen is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, and among the least prepared to mitigate or adapt to its impacts. As for climate vulnerability Yemen ranks 171st out of 181 countries in the ND-GAIN Index (2022). It is the 22nd most vulnerable and the 12th least ready country. Despite being one of the least countries contributing to GHG emissions, Yemen is highly vulnerable to climate change-related impacts such as drought, extreme floodings, pests, sudden disease outbreaks, changes in rainfall patterns, increased storm frequency/ severity, and sea level rise that threatens the already fragile state of the country.

Exposure to cyclones and floods has been worsening in recent years as a result of climate change and global warming. Rainfall in Yemen is characterized by seasonally intense and shortlived heavy storms that often lead to flash floods with implications for landslides, soil erosion, uprooting vegetation, and degradation of agricultural terraces. Occasionally, these floods have caused significant economic damage and loss of crops and lives.

Drought conditions were coupled with an unprecedented rise in temperature affecting all cropped regions of the country, and as a result of that desertification and deforestation increased from 90% in 2014 to 97% in 2022”.

Yemen is considered one of the top five most vulnerable low-income countries to sea level rise, sea level in Yemen is expected to increase by 0.3 to 0.54 meters by 2100. Sea level rise will also result in saltwater intrusion, rendering coastal aquifers brackish and undrinkable and exacerbating the country’s already serious water scarcity issues. Aden for example is the sixth most vulnerable city in the world to sea-level rise and storm surges.

Climate change has specific impacts on water resources, agriculture, food security, coastal zones, health, and vulnerable communities. As for water resources, the impacts of climate change have been obvious, as air temperature increases resulting in increasing evaporation, declining precipitation, and changing weather patterns that are contributing to water scarcity.

Flooding also causes contamination to both surface and groundwater as it carries different pollutants such as wastewater and chemical trash into water resources. Climate change is influencing the recharging of aquifers due to the change in the precipitation in terms of amount and distribution, all of these effects have put Yemen as the seventh most water-scarce country in the world with dwindling groundwater levels ranging between 3 to 8 meters per year in critical basins.

The agriculture sector in Yemen has been affected by floods, drought, and pests, all contributing to reduced crop yields. Desertification caused by drought has resulted in a yearly loss of 3-5% of arable land. Moreover, water scarcity remains the biggest obstacle to improving agricultural productivity in Yemen, and the depletion of water resources could lead to a 40% reduction in agricultural productivity. Floods have also led to soil erosion and loss of agricultural land, resulting in a decrease in cropland from 1.6 million hectares in 2010 to 1.2 million hectares in 2020. The impact of climate change on Yemeni agriculture is expected to worsen in the future, especially with more intense rainfall and longer droughts.

The impact of climate change on a global level poses a significant threat to Yemen's food security, which can further worsen food insecurity, undernourishment, and reliance on external aid. This can have severe consequences for Yemen's prospects. Currently, it is estimated that around 19 million Yemenis (about 62% of the population) face food insecurity, with 161,000 people living in famine-like conditions (IPC 5). In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, Yemen ranks 121st out of 121 countries with a score of 45.1, indicating that Yemen has a level of hunger that is alarming.

Regarding the health sector, many of the endemic and epidemic diseases in Yemen are affected by climate events. The spread of cholera, for example, is affected by heavy rain and drought events. Increased storm surges and floods have led to displacement, injuries, and loss of life. Additionally, drought and flood are associated with an increased risk of malnutrition, vectorborne diseases, and waterborne diseases. Extreme heat can increase morbidity and mortality of the most vulnerable such as older people, especially those above 65 years of age; people with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes.

Climate change has specific impacts on vulnerable communities, including women, IDPs and refugees, children, and older people. Women are particularly impacted by water scarcity, it is usually their job to fetch water, even where it is kilometers away. In addition to the challenges women face stemming from their responsibility to fetch water, early marriage has increased. As climate change continues to slowly degrade rural communities’ abilities to produce, Yemeni women bear the burden of food insecurity and caring for malnourished children while facing increasing malnutrition themselves. Climate change has also increased the number of femaleheaded households and gender-based violence. Climate change produces more IDPs and refugees as the degradation of land and water sources displaces people in search of vital resources, where displaced people are more vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events including flood events that can quickly destroy the limited infrastructure in the camps as well as heat waves that leave people with few options for cooling and shelter. Children are also affected by climate change as diseases including diarrheal diseases and dengue fever affect many children during flooding periods. Older people including particularly older persons with disabilities and older women are among those most affected by climate-related harms such as the increasing spread of vector-borne diseases, heat stress, and the increasing frequency and intensity of sudden and slow onset disasters which can impact their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

In conclusion, climate change has already had severe impacts on Yemen, affecting all sectors and resources as well as communities across the country. Yemen's situation serves as a warning to the rest of the world of what could happen if climate change is not effectively and rapidly addressed. Government entities, civil society, community leaders, and the international community must work together to tackle climate change and environmental issues in Yemen before it is too late. The future of Yemen and its people depend on these collective efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and protect the environment.