The Climate Chronicles

WELCOME TO THE CLIMATE CHRONICLES At The Climate Chronicles, we explore how climate change is reshaping our lives, from flooded schools to failing crops. This blog is your go-to space for real stories, simple breakdowns, and bold conversations about our planet's most urgent crisis. Whether you're new to climate issues or a passionate advocate, there's something for you. It's time to understand the problem, raise our voices, and take bold actions together.

  School in the Age of Climate Chaos By: Victoria Chizoba Okwuanalu A 2024 World Bank report reveals a startling reality: students in low-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, lose an average of 18 school days each year due to extreme weather events. This growing crisis is a warning sign that climate change is quietly but drastically disrupting education across vulnerable nations. In The Gambia, this challenge hits home. The Gambia’s Education System Under Threat Fig 1: Catastrophic Storm in Central River Region had a hit on  Dobang Kunda Lower Basic School. Source https://www.gambiarising.org/crr-storm-fund.html For Gambian children, climate change is not an abstract future problem; it is a daily obstacle. Floods, searing heat waves, and violent storms have become regular disruptors of school attendance and learning. These extreme weather events cause school closures, destroy infrastructure, and create unsafe conditions that prevent children f...

 By: JAKA BALDEH THE MAJOR CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE GAMBIA Climate change refers to the long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns. At the root of climate change is a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect . This term describes how certain gases in the atmosphere "trap" heat that would otherwise escape from the Earth’s surface into outer space. In The Gambia, climate change is driven by both natural and human-induced factors. Natural Causes of Climate Change in The Gambia Changes in Ocean Currents Changes in ocean currents can significantly influence climate by altering the global distribution of heat. These shifts affect regional temperatures and weather patterns. Since ocean currents play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate, disruptions can lead to noticeable variations. Human-Induced Causes of Climate Change in The Gambia After considering the natural causes, we must also examine the human activities contributing to climate change in Th...

 By: FATIMA CHAM   How Climate Change Is Driving New Threats To Gambian Wellbeing  

 By: NYIMA SONKO Climate Change and Agriculture: Sowing Solutions for a Warming World.   In The Gambia, climate change is directly impacting agricultural production by disrupting rainfall patterns, increasing soil salinity, and altering pest dynamics. As these environmental shifts threaten food security, Gambian farmers are finding ways to adapt in order to maintain crop yields and sustain their livelihoods. Agriculture in The Gambia relies heavily on rain-fed systems, with a short rainy season that is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Changes in the timing and intensity of rainfall are making it difficult for farmers to determine when to plant and harvest staple crops such as millet, sorghum, maize, rice, and groundnuts. Erratic rains can lead to flooding, washing away seeds or young seedlings, while prolonged dry spells cause soil moisture stress and degradation. Soil salinization is also becoming a major concern, especially in lowland rice-growing areas. Reduced r...

 By: ROHEY NGUM A Growing Disaster Threat for The Gambia Poor environmental keeping can contribute to climate change, pollution, and poor land use intensify global warming and increase disaster risks."  The Gambia is facing escalating threats from climate change, as rising sea levels and extreme weather events increase the risk of disasters nationwide. The frequency and intensity of these disasters have grown significantly, with the Banjul flood serving as a stark example of the devastating consequences. Climate-related challenges such as rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather have heightened the country’s vulnerability to flooding, drought, and coastal erosion. These impacts not only endanger lives and livelihoods but also jeopardize the nation’s development efforts.

  Climate Change Hits Gambia's Economy  The Gambia, one of Africa's smallest nations, is facing the effects of climate change, not just on environment, but also on its economy. From irregular rainfall to damaged roads, the changing climate undermines the economic stability of the country. The Gambia's economy heavily relies on agriculture. Climate change has caused irregular rainfall, drought, and floods, which has damaged crops, reduced yields, and threatened food security. Once-fertile lands are turning dry and cracked, increasing difficulty in sustaining crops. "The rain used to come on time. Now we don't know when it will fall or how long it will last", said Alhagie Jallow, a farmer in the Central River Region. Dry land due to drought Tourism, one of The Gambia's main economic pillars, is also under threat. Coastal erosion and environmental degradation, which affects beaches and tourist sites is reducing the appeal for international tourists and impact...

By: GIBRIL WALLY Climate change can feel overwhelming, but the solutions are already within reach. What we need now is action — especially from governments and businesses. Here are the most impactful ways we can collectively tackle the climate crisis: Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it's happening right now, and it's affecting the way we live, grow food, and stay healthy. From rising temperatures to extreme weather, the planet is sounding the alarm. But while the challenge is global, the solution starts with something simple and local: keeping our environment clean. Litter, pollution, and irresponsible waste management aren’t just unsightly—they’re dangerous. When we dump garbage in rivers, burn plastic, or cut down trees without replanting, we add harmful gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the air. These greenhouse gases trap heat, causing global temperatures to rise—a process known as global warming. This warming leads to more droughts, floods, meltin...