While periods of high temperatures are common in the Sahel at this time of year, a new report said a five-day heatwave in Mali and Burkina Faso from 1-5 April would have been 1.4-1.5C cooler without climate change.An extreme heatwave in the Sahel region in March and April would not have been as lethal without human-caused climate change, the World Weather Attribution group of climate researchers has found. It warned of an increase in extreme weather if carbon emissions are not rapidly reduced.
While periods of high temperatures are common the Sahel at this time of year, the report said a five-day heatwave in Mali and Burkina Faso from 1-5 April would have been 1.4-1.5C cooler without climate change. The group said there were likely hundreds, if not thousands, of heat-related casualties given the death toll is often under-reported.
The scientists noted that the loss of green spaces in cities such as Bamako and Ouagadougou have increased the"urban heat island effect". They recommended that urban planners take this into account in the face of ongoing rising temperatures.There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.