Blog

In 2021, Climatelinks featured a wide array of USAID’s climate-related work through its blogs. The Climatelinks blog acts as a resource for the global Climatelinks community and serves as a storehouse for information in the form of lessons learned, success stories, newsletter recaps, and report summaries. 

• 12/28/2021
• Steve Hardeman

The Climatelinks Resources Library grew by more than 160 documents in 2021, covering a broad range of topics from climate action in education to projected health impacts caused by climate change. Here are some resources you may have missed.

• 12/14/2021
• Sophie Schrader

While technological and institutional innovations in agri-food systems over the past century have brought dramatic advances in human well-being worldwide, these gains increasingly appear unsustainable due to massive, adverse spillover effects on climate, natural environment, social justice and public health and nutrition. To deflect future world food crises created by climate change and growing consumer demand, the expert panel created a roadmap for global agricultural and food systems innovation, reform and sustainability. 

• 11/10/2021
• CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)

The 2021 Climatelinks photo contest was a huge success! We received more than 100 stunning submissions from the Climatelinks community, representing more than 22 countries.

• 10/18/2021
• Steve Hardeman

Across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), approximately 60% of healthcare facilities are without electricity access. Without such access, healthcare providers face difficult and all-too-often dangerous challenges.

• 09/28/2021
• Amer Barghouth, Alice Brower, Justin Larson, Gordon Shaw

Electrifying health facilities can be accomplished through one of two approaches: connecting to a utility grid or on-site generation. The combination of these two technologies is much cleaner than using diesel generators, the preferred mode of rural clinics for providing off-grid power, and over time is less expensive. Renewable energy solutions such as solar also reduce future greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

• 09/23/2021
• Jacob Brunell, Julia Fonteles, Will Putzier, Nicolette Salazar

Despite the government’s deliberate initiatives to reach more people, Tanzania lags behind in its grid electricity connection targets. Only 24.5% of rural households in Tanzania have access to electricity. To help realize a future where all people enjoy the benefits of modern energy, Pact develops solutions and implements projects to expand access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and the means to use energy productively.

• 09/16/2021
• Marianna Balampama, Valentina Socias

There is growing momentum in the international community to ramp up climate finance for mitigation and adaptation actions. Undoubtedly, a focus on climate change adaptation in the developing world must be a priority for the financing.

• 09/08/2021
• Mohamed Bakarr

Across the globe, people are struggling to improve air quality, but the sources of pollution that cause the most harm are a moving target. They can differ by location, time of year, and time of day.

• 07/29/2021
• Lauren Azmon

After its success with improving solid waste and water management, the city of Indore, India has consistently been ranked the cleanest city in that country by the government’s annual Swachh Survekshan survey. Now, Indore is focused on having cleaner skies.

• 07/27/2021
• Beth Elliott and the Clean Air Catalyst Indore and Global Teams

March marks the onset of the dry and hot season in Thailand. In the region, dry vegetation coupled with small human-made fires often result in uncontrolled forest fires. Agricultural burning and forest fires, including transboundary haze, contribute to high levels of pollution.

• 07/22/2021
• Ankit Joshi

Air pollution affects women and girls differently than men and boys. These differences include biological and socioeconomic disparities, and unequal gender norms that affect exposure type and frequency.

• 07/20/2021
• USAID

Poor air quality and climate change are major challenges facing Nepal. Air pollution poses the second highest risk factor for death and disability in the country, behind only malnutrition. Meanwhile, scientists predict that Nepal will be especially vulnerable to climate change over the next century.

• 07/15/2021
• USAID

In June, Climatelinks explored the important linkages between health and climate change. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.

• 07/14/2021
• Climatelinks

Air pollution is the world’s largest environmental health risk, contributing to an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths each year globally. It is also a critical development challenge because low and middle income countries (LMICs) experience the greatest health burdens from poor air quality.

• 07/13/2021
• Jacquelyn Spade, Nila Cousar