Deadly West Africa Heat Wave Linked to Climate Change, Study Finds

A new study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group has directly linked the deadly heat wave that hit Mali and Burkina Faso in April 2023, with temperatures exceeding 45°C (113°F), to human-induced climate change. The analysis found that the extreme temperatures would have been 1.4°C cooler without the influence of global warming.

The heat wave, which occurred from April 1-5, led to a surge in deaths and hospitalizations in the region. "The lack of data makes it difficult to determine the exact number of heat-related deaths, but the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre estimates the death toll is likely in the hundreds, if not thousands," the study noted.

The WWA researchers emphasized that such intense heat waves would not have been possible without the global warming caused by decades of fossil fuel use and deforestation. "The study showed that the 1.2°C of global warming that has already occurred due to human activities made the extreme temperatures 1.4°C cooler than they would have been without climate change," said Dr. Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-leader of the WWA.

Why this matters: The findings underscore the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable populations in West Africa and highlight the urgent need for action to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of human-induced climate disruption. As global temperatures continue to rise, such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and severe, posing a growing threat to lives and livelihoods in the region.

The heat wave coincided with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and widespread power outages, further exacerbating the risks to vulnerable populations. "The heat wave caused an increase in deaths and hospitalizations, with hundreds or even thousands of heat-related deaths likely," the report stated. The WWA called for immediate and long-term structural changes in the affected countries to strengthen critical infrastructure and implement sustainable urban planning to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.

Key Takeaways

• A 2023 heat wave in Mali and Burkina Faso was directly linked to human-induced climate change.
• The extreme temperatures would have been 1.4°C cooler without the influence of global warming.
• The heat wave led to hundreds or even thousands of heat-related deaths in the region.
• The heat wave coincided with Ramadan and power outages, exacerbating risks to vulnerable populations.
• Urgent action is needed to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of human-induced climate disruption.