In brief
South Sudan experienced severe heat in February, linked to climate change, forcing school closures. With temperatures soaring, the country, which contributes little to emissions, is severely impacted by global warming.
In February 2025, South Sudan's capital, Juba, experienced a scorching heat wave that prompted the closure of schools after numerous students suffered from heat-related illnesses. This marks the second instance in less than a year that educational institutions halted operations to safeguard children from extreme temperatures. A recent study by World Weather Attribution indicates that climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of such heat events, making one week of this heat wave ten times more probable and raising temperatures by 2 degrees Celsius.Parts of the region reached alarming highs, exceeding 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit). The findings stem from a combination of weather data, climate observations, and modeling techniques, although they have yet to undergo peer review. South Sudan, affected by years of civil strife leading to its secession from Sudan in 2011, emits minimal greenhouse gases compared to developed nations. Joyce Kimutai, a researcher from Imperial College London, stresses that African nations have contributed negligibly to global emissions yet suffer disproportionately from climate change effects.Heat waves represent one of the most lethal forms of extreme weather and are becoming increasingly frequent due to escalating global temperatures. However, tracking the impact of heat on mortality remains complicated, with varied reporting standards potentially leading to underreported death tolls. The records show that prolonged heat poses substantial risks to vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Meanwhile, a broader region of Eastern Africa, which includes parts of Kenya and Uganda, is also grappling with extreme heat. Residents are urged to remain inside and stay hydrated, a challenging task in areas where many labor outdoors, electricity is unreliable, and access to clean water is limited.
