Historically, and continuing to this day, wealthy nations and individuals have disproportionately contributed to greenhouse gas emissions over time, while the poorer nations and communities have contributed less, but are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. (We cannot say this too often.)

Colonisers ignored the sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous peoples and have tended (until recently) to disregard their traditional ecological knowledge. Indigenous people often have a deep connection to the land, which gives them nowhere else to go, making them even more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events than people who can migrate.

Patriarchal systems perpetuate gender inequalities, which can exacerbate the impacts of climate change for women and girls who, in some cultures and environments, are responsible for onerous and time-consuming household tasks, such as collecting water and firewood, but who may face legal barriers to independent decision-making. Patriarchal attitudes also make it more difficult for women and girls to access the information, education or training they need to adapt to the climate emergency, leaving them with little agency or influence over policies that affect them.

Namibia is a beautiful, sunny country located in southwestern Africa – and one that has been heavily affected by climate change in recent years, with severe droughts, floods and other extreme weather events causing significant harm to both the environment and the people and their livelihoods.

With approximately 300 days of sunshine annually, and persistent, dry onshore winds, Namibia is quite dry for much of the year. The November to April rainy season is modest by most precipitation standards in the world (only 300 mm per year) – when it comes, that is.

Location of Namibia in Africa

Barbara at MEHR Namibia described the last exuberant rainy season in 2010 to 2011 as follows.

For months it rained and rained. All rivers (normally dry rivers) gushed, often for weeks. The land turned into a jungle; roads got washed away. . . . Ever since, most rivers have remained dry. In some areas, the last blade of grass had been nibbled off by hungry animals or been whiffed away by gusts of wind. In many places, wildlife had all but vanished and many farmers saw their cows, sheep and goats die or had to slaughter or sell them. A lot of wildlife perished, as the fences prevent long migrations.
— MEHR Namibia (2016), Fifty Shades of Green,

“Namibia after the Rain“^[2]

Identified as one of the driest countries south of the Sahara Desert, Namibia experiences cycles of persistent drought conditions. The Namibian government declared national emergencies in 1992/1993, 1995/1996, 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2015/2016, and 2018/2019 due to extreme drought events. By the end of 2019, which was the worst drought recorded in 90 years, agriculture production was at its lowest. Farmers struggled to maintain their crops and animals, but tens of thousands of livestock deaths were reported, and many families had their essential livelihood affected due to decreased yields and income.

In pastoral communities, many households are female-headed, and many children must drop out of school when their families adopt a semi-nomadic existence, in search of fresh pasture and water for their livestock. During the 2018/2019 drought period, human-wildlife conflicts also arose because of competition for water and grazing land. By the end of another “lean season” in 2022, it was estimated that 750,000 people (out of a population of 2.5 million) were facing high levels of food insecurity.

— International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2022)

“Namibia Drought Assessment Report 2022‘^[3]

But the drought of 2019 carried on. Izette Munkonge, who lives in Windhoek, described the 2022 drought as follows:

The devastating drought that struck Namibia in 2022 was a stark reminder of the harsh reality of climate change. The country, known for its arid landscapes, faced unprecedented water scarcity, crop failures, and loss of livestock. Rivers and reservoirs dried up, leaving communities struggling to find clean water for drinking and sanitation. The agricultural sector, a crucial source of livelihood for many Namibians, was severely impacted, with farmers facing immense challenges in cultivating crops and sustaining their livestock. The government and humanitarian organizations worked tirelessly to provide relief efforts, but the severity of the drought left a lasting impact on Namibia’s economy and the well-being of its people. It served as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the pressing issue of climate change and its devastating effects on vulnerable communities.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Indigenous Peoples (2023), gives the following description:

The United Nations points out that Indigenous peoples in Africa’s Kalahari Desert (which stretches across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa) are forced to live around government drilled bores [groundwater wells] for water and depend on government support for their survival because their traditional pastoralist (livestock herding) livelihoods have been compromised by the land degradation caused by rising temperatures, dune expansion and increased wind speeds.
— United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Indigenous Peoples (2023), The Effect of Climate Change on Indigenous Peoples,

“The Effect of Climate Change on Indigenous Peoples^[4]

Climate injustice is a significant concern in Namibia. Vulnerable communities, especially those living in poverty and in rural areas, are disproportionately affected by climate change. The situation is particularly concerning given that Namibia is one of the countries in the world that has contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions yet is one of the most affected by their impacts.

A 2022 Concern Worldwide report highlights how these impacts are exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities in the country, with vulnerable communities being hit the hardest.

Another example of climate injustice in Namibia is the lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities in many rural areas. These communities often lack access to resources and infrastructure that would help them adapt to the changing climate. As climate change leads to increased droughts and water scarcity, these communities are being forced to travel further and further to access clean water, putting them at greater risk of illness and disease, and putting especially the rural women and girls in increased harm’s way.

In contrast, wealthy and urban populations (inside and outside of Namibia) tend to have better access to resources and are less affected by climate change, which perpetuates existing social and economic inequalities.

And then . . . in mid-December 2022, severe floods hit the capital city, Windhoek, after three months’ worth of rain (95 mm) fell in just 24 hours. This extreme weather event resulted in the widespread destruction of infrastructure, displacement of marginalised communities as riverbed homes in “informal settlements” (where the poor live) were destroyed and the loss of at least two young lives as street children were swept away.

Terrible Floods in Namibia. The City of Windhoek Is Underwater, the Cars Are Floating (2:30)

This video shows the effect of unprecedented flooding.

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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.

See also, “‘Unprecedented’ Flooding Wreaks Havoc in Windhoek” – The Namibian

“‘Unprecedented’ Flooding Wreaks Havoc in Windhoek“^[5]

In the north of Namibia, rapid flooding cut off roads, which kept children from school and the sick and injured from accessing health clinics.

Flood Waters From Angola Reach Villages in North Namibia (2:10)

This video shows the knock on effect of flood waters downstream.

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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.

The situation in Namibia is just one instance of climate injustice impacting vulnerable communities. It is crucial that action is taken to address these inequalities and ensure that those who are most affected are given the support they need to adapt to a changing climate.

(You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the videos, a summary is available in Annex 1.3.1.