logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
27m 7s

How can we fight drought in the Horn of ...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

This week we speak to people in the greater Horn of Africa, experiencing the worst drought in 40 years. It's left 23 million people at risk of starvation and new research has found that it was 100 times more likely to have happened because of climate change.

Presenter Sophie Eastaugh hears about a climate adaptation strategy pioneered by the Maasai people. Food insecurity, conflict and perishing livestock are just a few elements of an ever-worsening crisis, with proactive planning difficult for governments with limited resources and other immediate problems. So what can be done to fight the worst effects of the ongoing crisis?

Sophie is joined by: Lanoi Meitiekene, a leader in the Maasai community Joyce Kimutai, Principal Meteorologist at Kenya Meteorological Department Yared Abera Deme, Research Analyst with the International Climate Action team, WRI Africa, Ethiopia.

Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Presenter: Sophie Eastaugh Producers: Osman Iqbal and Cesar Vargas Series Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: China Collins Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell

Up next
Aug 30
Can we cope with droughts?
Europe is reeling from a record-breaking drought which has closed nuclear power stations, stopped river traffic and sent food prices soaring. And there may now be more intense droughts in some parts of the world because of climate change. Our host Graihagh Jackson explores soluti ... Show More
26m 28s
Aug 23
How do we save Africa's forests?
African forests are vital for food and economic development, as well as for supporting millions of species of animals and plants. We find out how to protect them better with one of Africa’s top environmentalists! From the giant Congo rainforest to the Kenyan highlands and the man ... Show More
22m 59s
Aug 16
Is air conditioning the answer to extreme heat?
Experts say we may now need to spend more on cooling our homes than heating them because of climate change. In fact, the International Energy Agency thinks the equivalent of 10 new air conditioners every second will be installed for the next 30 years! This surge in air con will p ... Show More
26m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
How is climate change affecting livelihoods in Africa?
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years. In Kenya the situation is forcing children to drop out of school to help their parents look for food and water. Kenyan President William Ruto recently told the COP27 summit in Egypt that this year alone, 2.5 millio ... Show More
13m 50s
Mar 2023
Drought worsens in East Africa
The long rains of East Africa are forecast to fail again, for the third year running, precipitating a food crisis affecting millions. Science In Action explores the science of the drought, hears about new methods improving forecasts, and what is unusual about the region that make ... Show More
32m 43s
Aug 2022
Deadly drought
East Africa has endured more than two years on continuous drought. The latest predictions suggest the drought is not likely to end any time soon. We look at why climate change and weather patterns in the Pacific and Indian oceans are largely to blame. Andrea Taschetto, chief inve ... Show More
55m 7s
Sep 2022
Dealing with drought
As parts of England enter drought conditions we ask what are the drivers for drought and what can we do about it? With Dr Jess Neumann, Hydrologist at Reading University, Aidan McGivern meteorologist at the Met Office and Professor Richard Betts, Chair in Climate Impacts at Unive ... Show More
31m 15s
Nov 2022
When do food shortages become a famine?
Somalia is experiencing its worst drought for 40 years and there are warnings that millions of people need food assistance urgently. The UN body tasked with classifying levels of food security has projected a famine, although no official declaration has yet been made. We ask what ... Show More
8m 57s
May 2017
Episode # 13 - Keeping up with droughts
In Jordan, engineers are mapping droughts for better management and to predict future episodes in a country that is famously water scarce. Listen to know more about the new technology they're using to make it happen.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. S ... Show More
8m 45s
Sep 2021
How is climate change affecting Madagascar?
Rising temperatures. Drier weather. Four years of drought have taken their toll on Madagascar: the country’s now on the brink of the world's first "climate change famine", according to the United Nations. But why exactly? And what can the island-state do about it?Hosted by Alan K ... Show More
11m 33s
Jun 2024
Lessons from people already adapting to the climate crisis | Dorcas Naishorua
The Maasai people have lived sustainably off the savanna for centuries, raising cattle for sustenance and income. Climate activist Dorcas Naishorua paints a picture of how the climate crisis is threatening their way of life — and calls for local and international support as they' ... Show More
9m 5s