2024 was the hottest year on record – what did that mean for the Maghreb?

Record-breaking temperatures across the Maghreb over this last year raised alarm bells among global meteorological agencies; the predictions unfortunately, all coming true, as 2024 became the hottest year since calculations began.

In August temperatures in Morocco topped 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). Agadir hit anew national record of 50.4C as Morocco experienced an unprecedented series of heat waves over the summer. But it wasn’t just over the summer, monthly temperatures in Morocco rose even in the winter months. 

Things were even worse in Algeria. Northwest Algeria's Tiaret experienced protests due to water shortages because of the intense heat and little rainfall, mirroring problems in other parts of the region. Tunis, the capital of Tunisia reached a record of 49.0°C. 

Similar stories of extreme temperatures and problems of drought across the entire Maghreb, all pointing to the increased impact of climate change. Global warming is a particularly severe problem for Egypt, a desert country heating up at one of the world’s fastest rates. Over the summer Egypt was forced into the highest imports of liquefied natural gas since 2018 to keep up with the demand for air conditioners. Then there is the economic impact, with a declining yield of the wheat crop due to heat and water shortages,putting more dependence on imports of a grain that’s vital for feeding Egypt’s population. Add in perpetual power cuts and Egypt is fast becoming a bellwether for the effects of climate change. 

So, what can be done, if anything, to tackle the increasingly warmer environment and climate change. How is the Maghreb adapting to this new reality? 

Morocco has made a significant effort to promote the use of renewable energy. The Noor Power Station in Ouarzazate, for example, is one of the largest solar projects in the world, and the government has also promoted the provision of clean energy from wind and hydraulic sources. These projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent in Morocco by 2030.Additionally, the country is working to enhance the infrastructure required to detect and warn against extreme weather, including by improving ground and air monitoring networks and remote sensing tools.

According to the UN’s World Meteorological Organization climate-resilient development in the Maghreb requires investments in hydrometeorological infrastructure and early warning systems to prepare for escalating high-impact hazardous events. Additional investments in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) are needed to enhance data collection and improve forecasting capabilities tostrengthen the ability of these institutions to issue early warnings and advisories for extreme events. There is a particular need to invest in cutting-edge technologies and systems to enhance the accuracy and lead time of weather, climate, and hydrological forecasts.

The hope is technology will save the day.

*Kieran Baker is an Emmy award winning journalist who has started up various networks including Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg TV Africa and TRT World.