The Impact of Climate Change on Libyan Villages
In the picturesque village of Kabaw, nestled in the Nafusa Mountains of Libya, the effects of climate change are starkly evident. Once a thriving agricultural hub known for its figs, olives, and almonds, Kabaw now struggles to bear fruit as the land succumbs to the harsh realities of drought and rising temperatures.
A Changing Landscape
M’hamed Maakaf, a resident of Kabaw, reminisces about a time when the fields were green and prosperous, a stark contrast to the barren and desolate landscape that now surrounds him. The once lush meadows of the 1960s and ‘70s have given way to arid land, unable to sustain crops or livestock.
The Nafusa Mountains, home to around half a million people in western Libya, are facing increasing water stress as the region grapples with a lack of rainfall and soaring temperatures. The area, situated at an altitude of almost 1,000 meters, is now struggling to provide for its inhabitants, driving many to seek refuge in the capital city of Tripoli and other coastal towns where water is more readily available.
A Humanitarian Crisis
Mayor Mourad Makhlouf paints a grim picture of the situation in Kabaw, noting that hundreds of families have been forced to leave their homes in search of water and sustenance. The exodus of villagers and their livestock has become a common sight as the once-thriving community faces an uncertain future.
Local farmer Suleiman Mohammed expresses his fears about the impending crisis, stating that living without water is akin to certain death. The loss of thousands of olive trees, some dating back 200 years, serves as a poignant reminder of the toll that climate change has taken on the region.
A Call for Action
As Libya grapples with the devastating effects of climate change, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive relief plan to address the water scarcity crisis. The Great Man-Made River project, the country’s largest irrigation system, built in the 1980s under Muammar Qaddafi’s rule, is no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand for water.
According to the World Resources Institute, Libya is on track to face “extremely high” water stress by 2050, with the Middle East and North Africa region falling below the “absolute water scarcity” threshold by 2030. The United Nations Development Programme emphasizes the importance of equitable access to water for domestic and economic purposes, calling for climate-smart agricultural methods to mitigate the impact of water scarcity.
Despite signing international agreements on climate change, Libya has made little progress in developing disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies. Mayor Makhlouf stresses the need for a comprehensive relief plan to help communities adapt to the changing climate and ensure their survival in the face of mounting challenges.
As villages like Kabaw continue to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, it is imperative that urgent action be taken to address water scarcity and ensure the sustainability of these communities for generations to come.