Archive for category: environment

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How Climate Instability Affects Pastoralism in the Sahel Region

Pastoralism in the Sahel RegionClimate instability is slowly but consistently making life in the Sahel harder for herders, whose livelihoods depend on rainfall, pasture and mobility. Rising temperatures, erratic rains and longer dry seasons are shrinking grazing land, drying water points and forcing pastoralists to move farther and more often in search of survival.

A Fragile Way of Life

For centuries, pastoralism has been a strategy for adapting to the dry environment of the Sahel region. Herders move livestock across wide areas so animals can find new pasture and the land can recover. However, that system only works when mobility remains possible and water is not scarce.

Changing climatic conditions in the Sahel are disrupting both. Rainy seasons are less predictable, droughts are becoming more severe and springs and streams that once sustained herds are disappearing. These changes do not just reduce income; they threaten an entire social and economic system.

In the Sudano-Sahel region, more than 20 million people depend on pastoralism for survival and livestock is often the main source of food, cash and status. When grass fails or water holes dry up, families lose animals, nutrition worsens and their ability to recover from shocks weakens. These difficulties affect not only people who live off livestock but also farmers who grow crops for the animals.

Drought and Loss

The human and economic costs of drought can be devastating. One major drought in Niger in 2010 killed more than 4.8 million cattle, roughly a quarter of the country’s herd, causing losses of more than $700 million. For herding families, such losses are not abstract statistics. 

They translate into lower school fees, less milk for children and the collapse of savings built up over years, if not generations, through entire flocks. Pastoralism in the Sahel region is also harmed by diseases and herd weakness caused by climate stress. As animals are concentrated into smaller areas with less fodder, they become more vulnerable to illness and malnutrition.

At the same time, governments may impose tighter controls on animal movement due to concerns about livestock disease, making it even harder for herders to follow the rains and preserve their herds. Additionally, longer transhumances may expose animals to stress, disease vectors (such as ticks and flies) and consequential zoonotic diseases. This is not only an issue for animal health but also for humans, increasing the transmission of infectious diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis.

Tensions Over Land

As pasture disappears, herders are increasingly pushed into zones where farming is expanding, especially in the southern Sahel. This creates competition over land and water between farmers and herders, a pressure that can turn local disputes into small armed conflicts when land-use rules are weak or unenforced. Climate emergency does not cause every conflict in the Sahel, but it intensifies competition over scarce resources and makes peaceful coexistence more difficult.

Mobility, once a strength of pastoral systems, is becoming harder to sustain. Fragmented landscapes, insecurity and armed groups on transhumance routes can trap herders in unsafe or overused areas. This is further worsened by the growing availability of weapons and by political entities in the region exploiting these issues. 

When families can no longer move freely, they face more grazing pressure, more conflict and fewer ways to adapt.

The PRAPS-2 Strategy 

Sahelian governments and regional stakeholders are already collaborating to address shared environmental and economic challenges that endanger pastoralism in the Sahel. In addition to flagship efforts like the Great Green Wall, smaller-scale initiatives such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission aim to improve the management and restoration of transboundary natural resources.

The most important of these initiatives, specifically designed to address pastoral needs, is the PRAPS-2 project. It is based on strengthening national responses while reinforcing regional coordination. Its objective is twofold. First, it seeks to enhance regional coherence in natural resource governance, support the implementation of national regulations and facilitate cross-border trade.

Second, it aims to generate and disseminate scientific and technical knowledge that supports sustainable pastoral practices and informs both national and regional strategies, recognizing their economic, social and environmental significance. Regionally, the program is implemented by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS). The CILSS oversees coordination under the political leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). 

At the national level, implementation is led by the relevant ministries responsible for livestock or rural development across the six participating countries. PRAPS-2 is structured around five core components:

  • Improving animal health and veterinary drug control
  • Promoting sustainable landscape management and governance
  • Strengthening livestock value chains
  • Enhancing social and economic inclusion, particularly for women and youth
  • Supporting project coordination, institutional capacity and crisis prevention and response

Progress is being made, but this crisis highlights how rising temperatures can deepen insecurity and instability in already fragile regions, making the protection of pastoral livelihoods essential for sustaining resilience, dignity and peace.

– Riccardo Chiaraluce

Riccardo is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon Turned Shark Predators into Prosperity

Fiji's Beqa LagoonFiji’s Beqa Lagoon was once a hotspot for shark fishing, as shark fins and oil provided profitable returns for local fishermen. An abundance of bull sharks feeding in the nearby river mouths made Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon a reliable target in the region, with heavy fishing efforts leaving the reef system in a decimated state.

Once depleted of marine life, the lagoon now hosts one of the world’s leading shark diving experiences, with a vibrant and healthy reef ecosystem. The marine reserve is not only an environmental success story — it is also a model for community development.

Local communities are thriving beyond the shark fishing economy, using eco-tourism and marine conservation strategies to rebuild the economy, infrastructure and spiritual connection alongside Beqa Lagoon.

Shark Reef Marine Reserve

Fiji waters support a known 75 species of sharks and rays, with 66% of these species globally threatened or near threatened according to the IUCN Red List. Established in 2004, the Shark Reef Marine Reserve uses a community-compensation model where local villages, including Galoa and Wainiyabia, legally yielded their fishing rights to the reef, also known as Qoliqoli, in exchange for monthly funds deposited directly into village bank accounts to support local infrastructure and education. As a result, every diver pays a mandatory marine park shark levy of approximately FJD 20. This provides a steady income compared to the fluctuating returns of overfishing. The marine reserve also creates a spillover effect, with fish populations spilling into neighboring unprotected reefs and increasing fishing yields in those areas.

As part of the agreement, the community receives 100% of the marine park levy with full autonomy over how the funds are allocated. Development projects have included:

  • Infrastructure and facilities maintenance, with funds providing critical income to more than 6,000 fishermen during the COVID-19 pandemic when tourism stopped.
  • Education support for local schools, with specific allocations including school fees, supplies and maintenance of educational buildings in Galoa.
  • Health and welfare, with the steady cash flow providing a social safety net, especially during fluctuations and declines in fish yields in unprotected areas.

In the past 20 years, the shark diving industry generated more than $42.2 million annually, with $3.9 million in salaries, contributing to funding schools, health care and infrastructure while providing a stable income. The partnership with Beqa Adventure Divers and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office has trained 10 official community members as fish wardens. Under the Fisheries Act, these wardens have the authority to protect the reserve from poaching and illegal activity. The organization has also trained qualified divers in the eco-tourism industry, providing long-term employment.

The reserve has attracted international partnerships, including the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the UNDP. Through these partnerships, the community founded the first nonprofit elasmobranch research project, Fiji Shark Lab, developed coral nursery programs and restored more than 50 hectares of mangrove forests. These institutions provide employment and educational resources to local communities and continue to engage with community members in climate resilience projects.

Cultural Significance

Beyond the local economy, the Shark Reef Marine Reserve is tied to a long-standing spiritual connection between Beqa divers and sharks. According to oral tradition, Cakaubalavu, a chief fisherman, transformed into a shark after returning from a fishing trip to find his food eaten. He left Beqa with other traditional fishermen, traveling across several islands and eventually assisting another group in a reef battle, forever tying him to the island of Benau. Through this story, he became known as Dakuwaqa, the protector of divers and a shark deity for the Rukua people. Currently, the legend extends beyond Benau, with Dakuwaqa spoken of as the protector of divers in the Beqa Lagoon, providing a sense of safety and spiritual connection to many divers and visitors.

Looking Ahead

This approach, tying marine conservation to economic and community prosperity, highlights how conservation can become a pathway to reducing global poverty. With low-elevation coastal zones (LECZ) harboring a significant portion of the world’s poverty, coastal communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to environmental hazards and climate change. The success of Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon continues to serve as a model as community ties to marine health support a growing movement toward sustainable development.

– Alyssa Forget

Alyssa is based in Dundas, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Charities Are Responding to Flooding in Kenya

Flooding in KenyaFlooding in Kenya has displaced more than 412,000 people since September 2025. Unprecedented levels of rainfall, following the El Niño rainy season, triggered the flooding, recording one of the heaviest rain seasons in Kenya’s history. These torrential rains have now led to floods across 33 out of Kenya’s 47 states, and the situation has only been worsened by the prolonged drought that has resulted in ruined infrastructure and farmland, almost irreparably damaging thousands of people’s livelihoods. These extreme weather events are not just extraordinary occurrences, but evidence of how natural disasters can affect the country.

The Effects of Flooding in Kenya

The flooding in Kenya has resulted in displacement, deaths, damaged or lost infrastructure and farmland, with destruction across all sectors: 11,311 losses in livestock, submergence of 61 key roads and the destruction of nearly 2,000 schools and 62 health centres nationwide, according to Help.NGO.

One personal testimony comes from Felista, who states: “Flooding has taken away my livelihood source.” Felista is a displaced mother and business owner as a herbalist, who looks after her daughter and grandchildren owing to her daughter’s mental health issues, and now “[she] can no longer access herbs.”

Unfortunately, the combination of flooding in Kenya and the ensuing fast-onset drought has not only hurt individuals’ and families’ incomes, but also people’s health and access to basic necessities such as food, water, and education.

Public Health Concerns

According to Dr Pius Mutuku, a medical epidemiologist from the Ministry of Health, flooding made 14 facilities close down and affected a major water treatment facility, resulting in a shortage of clean water for 3,000 people. Tana River County alone reported 44 cholera cases, which is one of the most flood-affected regions and in displacement camps that are rapidly filling up, medical emergencies such as this are significant worries to public health.

Poverty is a multidimensional issue, affecting not only the economy but also creating a poverty of knowledge and independence. Schools across the country have closed due to water damage, postponing term for two weeks due to the disruption and lost infrastructure that prevents staff and students travelling to school. The Kenyan government has chosen to demolish houses, specifically informal settlements near the major rivers – the worst affected flood zones- to reduce future flood damage. However, this means destroying nearby infrastructure also, which puts families in the worst socio-economic situations at greater risk, removing their access further to facilities for health care or education.

The Response

Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) has traditionally been the centre of emergency response efforts, but the organization found itself stretched beyond capacity in this crisis and in need of additional man-power and financial support. County emergency funds had been depleted, and local authorities were unable to respond to the flooding in Kenya alone until Help NGO joined KRCS, offering field support and new technology.

The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has also contributed to the crisis team, allocating $3 million US dollars to humanitarian partners to support the assistance of 190,000 people across 10 counties severely ruined by the flooding in Kenya.

Funding is a silent but crucial element of resolving national and international crises like this one, and this money from CERF went toward organizations like the World Food Program (WFP), which is providing cash assistance to affected families, to help them meet their most urgent needs in the time of disruption and loss. This cash assistance aimed to reach those most vulnerable in society, and those most harshly affected by the floods and drought, such as the disabled, chronically ill, or the urban poor population.

Another method of cash assistance and funding is the Adaptation Fund, which finances projects worth more than $49 million to reshape infrastructure so it can withstand natural disaster-influenced events like shock floods and droughts. This aid is especially significant to those living in urban poverty, whose informal settlements are most vulnerable to extreme weather events.

The Results

Part of Help.NGO’s action has been providing new advanced drone technology to work alongside satellites, and survey the extent of damage done to Kenya’s landscape. Without this level of surveillance, the government would not be able to accurately implement aid to the regions and communities that are most in need. These drones have provided invaluable data for “recovery and reconstruction,” according to a Help NGO spokesperson.

The images and data from Help.NGO’s technology helped a multitude of missions, including organizing medical assistance. The Ministry of Health has immensely benefited from this information, and have been able to set up medical camps with the support of KRCS for continuity of services for the more than 4,000 people hurt by hospital closures.

In addition, WHO deployed more than 720 first responders to flood-affected zones to offer on-site recovery and attention, and attend to patients across Kenya’s 192 medical camps. The mission also distributed cholera kits and treated approximately 10,000 people.

The Future

Funding can change an individual’s life, like Felista, who has now been able to reopen her business and return her grandchildren to school. CERF provided her with KES 10,000- equivalent to $80, which has enabled her to pay school fees, buy food, and, significantly, the herbs and materials she needs to get her business up and running again. With the help of KRCS and Help NGO, financial aid and technology are reshaping Kenya, socially and physically, building a safer and more stable country for generations to come.

– Jaya Noonan

Jaya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Comoros’ Ylang-Ylang Industry: Why Greener Growth Matters

Comoros’ ylang-ylang industryComoros ranks among the world’s leading perfume producers, alongside Madagascar and Mayotte. In the country, the ylang-ylang flower does more than produce luxury fragrances. It supports thousands of rural households and provides a steady, environmentally conscious source of income and economic growth.

This industry also strengthens the national economy. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of Comoros’ GDP and export crops such as ylang-ylang, vanilla and cloves drive much of that growth.

Greener Practices, Stronger Incomes

Ylang-ylang creates direct economic opportunities for many families in Comoros. Around 10,000 producers cultivate the crop, particularly on the island of Anjouan. Farmers and workers earn a steady income from harvesting and selling the flowers. Women play a central role, spending long hours collecting blossoms to sell by the kilogram.

Because producers can harvest ylang-ylang flowers multiple times each month, the crop provides income year-round. This cycle of greener growth helps households manage expenses and reduces income instability. The industry also supports broader economic activity.

Small distilleries purchase flowers from independent farmers, allowing even small-scale producers to participate in export markets. These businesses create jobs and strengthen local skills in processing and production. Licensed exporters help maintain quality standards and connect Comoros to global markets.

As a result, even remote communities benefit from international trade. In 2022, ylang-ylang exports generated about $5.56 million, making the crop one of Comoros’ most valuable export products. Major markets include France, Switzerland, the U.S. and the U.K. This global demand brings valuable foreign income into the country.

Comoros’ Ylang-Ylang Industry

Recent developments are improving both sustainability and economic resilience in Comoros’ ylang-ylang industry. Producers are upgrading distillation equipment to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Improved ovens and stainless-steel alembics use less wood, lowering production expenses and making operations more sustainable.

Farmers are also planting trees such as mango and breadfruit to secure fuel sources while protecting natural forests. These efforts support long-term productivity and help preserve the resources on which livelihoods depend.

A Future Rooted in Prosperity

New environmental programs are also creating additional income streams for rural communities. NGOs now pay farmers, known as “water guardians,” to restore forests and protect water systems. These initiatives provide financial incentives while strengthening local ecosystems.

By linking conservation with income generation, these programs help reduce poverty and build economic security. Ylang-ylang already generates export revenue, employment and steady income for rural communities. Now, greener production methods are improving efficiency, protecting natural resources and creating new opportunities.

With these changes, the “flower of flowers” can continue to drive economic growth while helping communities move out of poverty. Looking ahead, greater investment in ylang-ylang production could further accelerate poverty reduction in Comoros. Training farmers in improved harvesting techniques could increase yields and raise incomes without requiring more farmland.

Expanding local distillation capacity would also allow communities to capture more value before export, creating additional jobs. Improved infrastructure, including transport and storage, could reduce waste and increase profitability. As international demand for sustainable fragrances grows, Comoros is well-positioned to establish itself as a premium, ethical supplier.

This shift could strengthen export earnings while supporting rural livelihoods. By combining sustainability with productivity, ylang-ylang production offers a practical path toward inclusive economic growth and long-term poverty reduction.

– Demetra Mykoniatis

Demetra is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Towards Climate Collaboration: The U.K.–Pakistan Green Compact

U.K.–Pakistan Green CompactPakistan, consistently ranked among the top 10 nations most vulnerable to climate emergencies, has experienced an increasing frequency of floods, droughts and heatwaves in recent decades. As a result, its population remains in constant flux, facing the dual challenges of poverty and a deteriorating ecological system. Like other climate-affected nations, an increasingly volatile environment poses a significant barrier to sustained, wholesale development.

In response to these challenges, the U.K.–Pakistan Green Compact stands as a landmark agreement in global climate cooperation, marking a critical step toward safeguarding one of the world’s most at-risk nations.

The Deal

The U.K.–Pakistan Green Compact offers Pakistan a collaborative means to ameliorate some of the most pressing ecological challenges that it has faced in recent years. The agreement unlocks more than $35 million in targeted U.K. funding for projects that support the development of green energy and promote preventative solutions, such as the investment in expanding mangrove conservation. 

The compact is centered around five pillars:

  • Clean energy transition
  • Nature-based solutions
  • Innovation and youth empowerment
  • Climate finance and investment
  • Adaptation and resilience

Stabilizing Pakistan’s Vulnerable Regions

The accessibility of finance to support sustainable climate projects is one of the major barriers to progress in Pakistan, a central concern that this compact hopes to address. The climate development that this will facilitate will, in turn, stabilize the regions in Pakistan most directly impacted by the floods, droughts and heatwaves that claimed more than 1,000 lives in 2025 alone. In particular, greater efforts in mangrove conservation made possible by this deal will help protect coastal communities from ongoing flooding risks. 

These floods weaken local economies, destroy homes and infrastructure and threaten the lives of both people and their livestock. More than 18 million Pakistanis were affected by the 2025 monsoon floods. The disaster led to widespread displacement and the destruction of vital public assets.

Essential cropland exceeding 2.23 million acres was either submerged or destroyed. This loss erased critical resources that support regional food security and an economy partly dependent on agriculture. The macroeconomic effects of the disaster are severe. It is projected to reduce the nation’s GDP for 2025–26 by up to 2%, posing a significant barrier to development.

The targeted solutions that the U.K.–Pakistan Green Compact provides hope to the roughly 60 million people living in poverty in Pakistan. The highest concentration of national poverty is found in the most rurally situated districts. As a result, it is the communities most reliant on agriculture that are made the most vulnerable by the impacts of changing climatic conditions. 

Final Thoughts

Collaborative action between international powers, such as the U.K.–Pakistan Green Compact, is essential for building a global framework for climate cooperation. This approach enables the sharing of data, resources, systems and expertise to address the climate crisis and its direct link to high poverty rates.

The future of climate action and poverty reduction is closely interconnected. It depends largely on sustained, large-scale international collaboration. The Green Compact deal stands as a strong example of the kind of coordinated economic action needed to support a more environmentally stable and economically resilient future.

– Evan Meikle

Evan is based in Kingston Upon Hull, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Extreme Heat and The Lady Health Workers of Pakistan

Lady Health Workers of PakistanAs the changing climate drives temperatures to new extremes, heat is emerging as an underrecognized threat to maternal health. In Pakistan, one of the world’s most heat-exposed countries, pregnancy is increasingly unfolding under conditions that strain the body, health systems and communities alike. Yet despite mounting scientific evidence of the danger extreme heat poses during the perinatal period, maternal health remains largely absent from many national heat-health policies. Thankfully, community health workers, like the Lady Health Workers of Pakistan, are stepping up when the heat becomes too much to bear.

Intensifying Heatwaves in Pakistan

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to extreme heat, with heatwaves becoming more frequent, prolonged and intense in recent decades. Pre-monsoon months often see dangerously high temperatures in combination with high population densities, as seen in cities such as Karachi and Lahore. Several severe events in recent years have emphasized the scale of this risk, including the 2015 heatwave that devastated the southeastern Sindh province and ultimately claimed more than 1,000 lives. In more recent years, Pakistan experienced a heatwave in June 2025, during which temperatures in many parts of the country exceeded 113°F.

Prolonged periods of extreme heat place significant strain on urban and rural communities alike, affecting infrastructure and health systems. Climate change is expected to intensify these trends, increasing the likelihood of longer and more severe heatwaves and expanding the geographic areas affected. For populations with limited access to cooling, reliable electricity or adequate health care, these conditions create public health risks and highlight the need for stronger heat-health preparedness measures.

Extreme Heat and Maternal Health Risks

Extreme heat poses significant risks during pregnancy due to the body’s changes in temperature regulation and fluid balance. During pregnancy, fetal development increases fluid requirements, making it more difficult for the body to dissipate heat. This increases susceptibility to dehydration and heat stress. High temperatures may disrupt hormonal regulation and impair the function of the placenta, potentially reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus.

Evidence also links exposure to extreme heat with several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes, preterm birth and stillbirth in some cases. Heat exposure can also increase the likelihood of infections and complicate care during labor. Because public health care systems in Pakistan are often described as overwhelmed, these risks may increase further. As temperatures continue to rise with climate change, these issues underscore the importance of recognizing pregnancy as a period of heightened vulnerability to extreme heat and ensuring appropriate support for pregnant populations.

Omission of Pregnancy in Heat-Health Action Plans

The National Heatwaves Guidelines released by the Pakistani government do not make direct reference to pregnancy during extreme heat events. The guidelines recommend that “individuals should check on neighbors, especially the elderly, children and those with chronic illnesses,” but they do not mention people in the perinatal period. The report encourages community care for “vulnerable residents,” but it does not define which groups fall into this category.

This highlights an ongoing issue within Heat-Health Action Plans (HHAPs) across the globe. As extreme heat events occur more frequently, many countries have implemented national HHAPs, as urged by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, while WHO guidelines outline strategies to protect pregnant individuals from extreme heat, a recent review found that of 83 eligible HHAPs from 24 countries, only 52% recognized the need to protect this population during heatwaves. Furthermore, none of the HHAPs comprehensively addressed the risks heatwaves pose to maternal, newborn and child health.

The Lady Health Workers of Pakistan

Pakistan’s Lady Health Worker (LHW) Program, established in 1994, plays a critical role in delivering maternal health services to communities across the country, particularly in rural areas and urban informal settlements. The program deploys more than 100,000 trained female community health workers who live within the communities they serve, each covering roughly 1,000 people. Although they are not physicians, they provide services that health professionals may not be able to deliver consistently at the household level. This includes conducting regular household visits to provide health education, basic preventive care and referrals to formal health facilities.

LHWs focus heavily on maternal and newborn health. They counsel pregnant individuals on the importance of antenatal care while monitoring pregnancies and linking families with clinics or midwives when complications arise. They are trusted members of their communities and provide care directly at the household level. As a result, LHWs often serve as the first point of contact for pregnant populations during environmental or health crises.

LHWs guide hydration, rest and heat-related illness. They also monitor vulnerable pregnancies and facilitate timely referrals to health facilities, helping ensure continuity of maternal care even when extreme heat and strained hospitals make access to services more difficult.

– Charlotte Bunn

Charlotte is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Extreme Heat is Trapping Workers in Poverty in West Africa

Poverty in West AfricaAcross West Africa, rising temperatures are becoming more than an environmental issue. For many workers, extreme heat is affecting their ability to earn a living. Farmers, construction workers, street vendors and other outdoor laborers depend on long hours of physical work each day. However, as temperatures continue to rise, working conditions are becoming more dangerous and less productive. According to the World Bank, the changing climate could push more than 132 million people into poverty globally by 2030, with developing regions such as West Africa facing the greatest risks. This growing challenge is sometimes described as “cooling poverty,” where extreme heat reduces work capacity and pushes vulnerable workers deeper into poverty.

Heat Stress and Lost Working Hours

Extreme heat significantly reduces the number of hours people can safely work outdoors. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), heat stress is expected to reduce total global working hours by 2.2% by 2030, which is equivalent to about 80 million full-time jobs. The report also estimates that Africa will lose about 4.7% of its total working hours, making it one of the regions most affected by rising temperatures.

In many parts of West Africa, daytime temperatures regularly exceed 35°C (95°F). For workers performing physically demanding tasks under direct sunlight, these conditions can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and even heatstroke. Because of this, many laborers stop working during the hottest hours of the day, reducing productivity and daily income.

Farmers Facing Declining Productivity

Agriculture remains the backbone of employment in many West African countries. In Nigeria, for example, agriculture employs about 35% of the country’s workforce and supports millions of rural households. Similarly, in Ghana, the sector employs more than 30% of the labor force, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Rising temperatures are making farm work increasingly difficult. Farmers often begin working very early in the morning to avoid extreme midday heat. However, shorter working hours reduce productivity. In addition, higher temperatures increase drought conditions and reduce soil moisture, which can damage crops and reduce harvests. Lower yields directly affect farmers’ incomes and increase the risk of poverty for rural communities.

Urban Workers Under Pressure

Extreme heat is also affecting workers in urban areas. Construction workers, delivery drivers, street vendors and market traders spend long hours outdoors across many West African cities. Many of these workers operate within the informal economy, which accounts for about 85% of employment in Africa, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Without formal labor protections such as regulated working hours or health insurance, these workers often face difficult choices between protecting their health and earning enough money to survive. When temperatures become dangerously high, workers may slow down or stop working completely, resulting in lost daily income.

Extreme heat creates serious health risks for workers. Heat exposure can lead to dehydration, fatigue and reduced concentration, which increases the risk of workplace accidents. Long-term exposure to high temperatures can also contribute to chronic health problems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that between 2000 and 2019, heat-related deaths among people over 65 increased by about 70% globally. As heat waves intensify, outdoor workers in vulnerable regions such as West Africa face growing health and economic risks.

Solutions to Protect Workers

Reducing the impact of extreme heat on workers requires stronger policies and practical solutions. Governments can introduce measures such as adjusting working hours to cooler parts of the day, providing shaded rest areas and ensuring access to safe drinking water. Public awareness campaigns can also help workers recognize the early signs of heat stress and take preventive action.

In agriculture, climate-resilient farming methods and improved irrigation systems can help farmers adapt to rising temperatures. Expanding access to climate information and early warning systems will also allow communities to prepare for extreme heat conditions and reduce economic losses.

Preventing Poverty in West Africa

Extreme heat is becoming an increasingly serious challenge for workers across West Africa. As temperatures continue to rise, outdoor laborers face growing health and economic risks. Efforts to improve working conditions and expand climate adaptation strategies may help reduce these risks and poverty in West Africa.

– Segun Oyekale

Segun is based in Lagos, Nigeria and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Climate and Poverty: The Role of Global Charities

Climate and PovertyIncreasingly severe floods, droughts and storms are intensifying risks to livelihoods, particularly for those already living in poverty. Around the world, rising environmental instability and unpredictable weather conditions push back on people’s progress against poverty. Extreme weather patterns are now one of the greatest drivers of poverty and hunger, with 45 million people at risk of famine and nearly half of the world’s children living in countries highly vulnerable to environmental shocks. The World Bank warns that natural disasters could push an additional 100 million people into poverty within the next decade.

Background

The poorest communities, often living in the most exposed and fragile conditions, suffer the worst effects of severe storms, droughts and other natural disasters. To cope with the risks of more frequent extreme weather, significant investment is necessary to strengthen communities and businesses. Climate finance from developed countries to developing countries remains crucial to help vulnerable populations adapt while supporting long-term poverty reductions

Climate actions also present economic opportunities. Green jobs, roles that reduce the environmental impact of economic activity, are essential to building a more sustainable economy. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), increasing productivity and sustainability in climate-critical sectors could lift 100 million small-scale farmers out of poverty.

This is why climate charities and poverty reduction strategies are becoming inseparable in global development policies.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Farmers are not just food producers; they are the backbone of rural economies and global food systems, yet unpredictable weather conditions disrupt their livelihoods. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supports small-scale farmers in adapting to the impacts of extreme environmental conditions. It funds infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather, including flood defenses and cyclone early-warning systems and helps redesign government policies to better respond to environmental risks  in the future.

In 2024, IFAD invested more than $750 million in climate finance projects. Overall, it has supported 6 million farmers and helped avoid 112 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Its work shows how strengthening rural resilience can simultaneously protect ecosystems, increase food security and reduce poverty.

Practical Action

Practical Action is a charity that focuses on helping communities tackle poverty and environmental degradation, working directly with those most affected. Its approach centers on creating green and inclusive economies that strengthen resilience while unlocking economic opportunity. The organization supports small businesses that help adapt to increasing environmental shocks and unpredictable weather conditions, as they allow people to earn a decent living. It trains farmers to grow and sell products in ways that protect nature and increase income. It also expands access to clean and affordable energy to power homes and local businesses. By making clean energy affordable and food production climate-smart, they help farmers, entrepreneurs and workers grow and diversify their income while protecting nature.

Practical Action also helps communities prepare and recover from natural disasters. The charity supports communities in building their own future with solutions that foster resilience, create jobs and lasting prosperity. As a result of their work, crops survive extreme weather, ensuring food security and small businesses grow, creating job opportunities.

Over the past five years, 6 million people have experienced improvements in their lives through the organization’s projects, and it aims to reach 10 million people by 2030.

SolarAid

SolarAid is an international charity providing solar lamps to some of the most rural and hard-to-reach communities in sub-Saharan Africa, tackling both poverty and the environmental changes.

In many of these areas, households rely on kerosene lamps and paraffin candles, which emit toxic fumes and contribute to carbon emissions. Solar power offers a cleaner and safer alternative, an immediate benefit for both people and the planet. To date, SolarAid has distributed 2.5 million solar lights.

Its mission is to light up every school, clinic and home in Africa. The aim is to enable farmers to work after sunset, children to study in the evening and midwives to deliver babies safely at night

Trees for the Future

Trees for the Future is an organization that focuses on large-scale land restoration in developing communities, tackling hunger, poverty and environmental degradation. With landscapes and ecosystems are deteriorating worldwide, many farming families are trapped in cycles of hunger and poverty. Africa alone is home to 33 million farmers who produce 80% of the continent’s food, often on degraded land worsened by environmental shocks. Trees for the Future’s Forest Garden Approach restores soil health by planting diverse mixes of trees and crops, ensuring year-round food and income

The program can end poverty as its approach ensures opportunities otherwise inaccessible to rural families. By embracing sustainable land practices, farmers are breaking the cycles of land degradation and poverty and rebuilding our food systems.

UNDP’s Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP)’s Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator (GGJAP) helps established entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt greener business practices, expand green job opportunities, and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive economy. SMEs form the backbone of many economies and are key to tackling environmental risks, unemployment and poverty. Across the Arab States region, GGJAP aims to support 800 SMEs, creating 4,000 green jobs.

Climate Action and Poverty Reduction

There are now more jobs in clean energy than in fossil fuels, as investments in clean energy technologies drive global demand for new workers worldwide. Every dollar invested in renewable energy creates roughly three times more jobs than in the fossil fuel industry.

Measures to reduce emissions and adapt to environmental instability can promote sustainable, resilient and inclusive development, particularly in developing countries, offering new avenues out of poverty.

The two biggest challenges of the 21st century, poverty and growing environmental disruption, can be addressed together. Technologies and practices that tackle environmental shocks also improve people’s livelihoods, health, food security, education, gender equality and more.

– Jeanne Pellet

Jeanne is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Green Nitrogen Fixation Can Help Alleviate Global Poverty

Green Nitrogen FixationToday’s standard fertilizer production process contributes to a sizable 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions and requires high-priced materials and complex engineering. Additionally, farming communities in impoverished nations often have limited access to and cannot afford the rising costs of industrial fertilizers. Green nitrogen fixation is a sustainable process that can be achieved on-site, ending small-scale farmers’ dependence on imported fertilizers. 

With numerous environmental and economic benefits, green nitrogen fixation can help alleviate global poverty and promote food security in developing nations. 

Industrial Fertilizer Production

Industrial fertilizer is composed of compounds that provide plants with essential nutrients, which include the crucial life-sustaining element nitrogen and minerals such as phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen for fertilizer production is commonly obtained from atmospheric air, which reacts with hydrogen in natural gas to create ammonia. The ammonia can be converted to ammonium nitrate or other nitrogen compounds and mixed with minerals to produce fertilizer.

Inert atmospheric nitrogen must be “fixed” (converted to reactive nitrogen compounds) to be absorbed by crops. The Haber-Bosch process is the most common technique for nitrogen fixation since the early 1900s. It catalyzes the reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen at extreme temperatures and pressures, requiring significant energy and producing substantial carbon dioxide. 

Not only is the Haber-Bosch process energy-intensive, consuming nearly 2% of global energy demand, but the materials needed for the method can be costly and, at times, inaccessible.

Fertilizer Supply Chain

Given that phosphorus, potassium and natural gas resources are limited and available only in certain parts of the world, fertilizer availability can fluctuate. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has significantly reduced fertilizer reserves. Many of Ukraine’s fuel processing facilities have been damaged in battle, reducing its ability to produce natural gas and driving up fuel prices. 

Additionally, Russia and Belarus produce a substantial amount of fertilizer that they are presently unable to export due to shipping disruptions and sanctions resulting from the conflict. Rising costs and fertilizer scarcity have had a significant impact on farmers and consumers worldwide. Unlike those in developed nations who may be able to afford higher-priced fertilizers, food growers in developing regions do not have the financial resources to afford them.

Alternative solutions are needed to enable impoverished farmers to sustain food security for themselves and their communities. A promising alternative to industrial fertilizer, green nitrogen fixation can help alleviate global poverty by protecting the food supply of developing countries while delivering additional environmental and economic benefits.

On-Site Green Nitrogen Fixation Methods

Providing the capability of on-site, small-scale production, green nitrogen fixation methods are economical and fairly easy for remote farmers to implement. The methodologies include the following:

  • Plasma-Based Nitrogen Fixation: Plasma nitrogen fixation uses ionized gas (plasma) to cause a reaction between atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen from water to produce ammonia. Plasma is created by electrifying air using small-scale reactors powered by solar or wind energy. The process creates liquid nitrates that can be sprayed onto crops. Though plasma nitrogen fixation uses renewable energy and has small-scale production capabilities, it requires high energy consumption. 
  • Biological Nitrogen Fixation: Biological nitrogen fixation uses bacteria such as Azotobacter to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia via the enzyme nitrogenase. The bacteria are added to the soil, enabling crops to take up nitrogen directly. Biological nitrogen fixation eliminates the need for a fuel source. It provides a no-processing, direct on-site application. However, it can emit nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas) when excess nitrogen is added to the soil.
  • Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation: This method utilizes solar energy to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, using water as a hydrogen source. A photocatalyst is exposed to solar energy to generate the reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen to form ammonia. While the method uses renewable energy and has on-site production capability, current catalysts are inefficient and the reaction loses much of its energy as heat.

Scientists are working to further improve these techniques to enhance their effectiveness. With so many potential benefits for remote farmers, there is promise that green nitrogen fixation can help alleviate global poverty by enabling sustainable small-scale farming and helping end food insecurity worldwide. 

The Agrogeological Approach

In addition to nitrogen, plants also need key minerals for optimal growth. To bypass reliance on imports, these minerals can be obtained locally. Although the fertilizer industry mainly targets the macro- (main) plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the “agrogeological” approach also employs micro- (secondary) nutrients to sustain soil fertility. Generally available worldwide, sources of phosphorus and potassium include animal manure, fallen leaves and sewage sludge. 

Secondary plant growth nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper, can be obtained from wood ash, marl (a sedimentary clay rock) and phosphate rock. Often requiring minimal processing, these resources can be found in industrial waste or in nature and, along with nitrogen from green nitrogen fixation, can sustainably provide crops with the nutrients needed to thrive.

Outlook for Green Nitrogen Fixation

The world population could reach 10 billion by 2050, further increasing the already scarce supply of fertilizer and adding to food production demands on impoverished nations. Green nitrogen fixation is a promising soil fertility solution, particularly when coupled with agrogeological techniques. It can help alleviate global poverty by strengthening the resilience and independence of local farmers while contributing to environmental protection.

– Debbie Barto

Debbie is based in Monroe, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Inside the Project Designed To Improve Thai Infrastructure

Thai InfrastructureThe Thailand Resilient Transport Connectivity and Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Project (TRIP) will improve Thai infrastructure and protect local biodiversity in the Songkhla Lake region through the strategic construction of two new bridges. Last spring, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) approved funding for the project. The World Bank published a disclosure on May 25, 2025, announcing its $144.76 million loan commitment, marking the organization’s first significant lending operation in the country in more than 15 years.

In a press release, the World Bank’s Division Director for Myanmar and Thailand, Melinda Good, said, “This project marks a significant milestone in our renewed partnership with Thailand—bringing critical infrastructure to local communities while protecting the country’s unique natural assets that support local economies.”

Connecting Communities

TRIP promises to connect communities in the Songkhla Lake region through the construction of two new, crucially weather-resistant bridges. According to plans, the new Songkhla Lake Bridge will link Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces via a seven-kilometer roadway across Songkhla Lake. At present, an 80-kilometer or roughly two-hour, detour stands in the path of travelers between the two regions.

TRIP aims to reduce this journey to a mere 10 minutes. Additional plans include the construction of the Kho Lanta Bridge, a two-kilometer roadway connecting Krabi on the mainland to Koh Lanta, a Songkhla Lake island. Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, a senior officer for Thailand at the World Bank, stressed in a social media post last month that plans consider the region’s environmental challenges and draw on examples of past natural disasters.

Indeed, southern Thailand’s climate dictates that both bridges incorporate weather-resilient engineering in their design. Floods, storms and sea-level rise all pose distinct threats to communities around Songkhla Lake in the coming years. The presence of the Kho Lanta and Songkhla Lake bridges strengthens future evacuation routes for local communities.

Economic Importance

On the project, Suddhi-Dhamakit said, “Improved connectivity is expected to support job creation during construction and long-term employment through tourism and local economic activity.” In this way, TRIP holds significant economic importance for the areas surrounding Songkhla Lake. Southern Thailand’s economic growth trails behind that of the rest of the country.

The poverty rate there is 7.4%, more than double the national average. Connectivity plays an important role in the job market because transportation bottlenecks can impede the ability of residents to attend markets and access services and other employment opportunities. The construction of the two new bridges stands to benefit the local population initially by providing construction jobs.

It will later allow easier access to other employment through improved transportation infrastructure. Three million tourists also pass through the region each year, a number experts expect to rise with the area’s improved travel connections.

Final Thoughts

While the project remains in its infancy, support from the World Bank represents a monumental step toward its eventual realization. Negative environmental trade-offs often materialize in large-scale infrastructure development, such as what TRIP proposes. Nonetheless, the project aims to bridge the gap by simultaneously developing Thai infrastructure and protecting local biodiversity.

– Louis Sartori

Louis is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash