Extreme weather events driven by climate change are poised to worsen desert locust outbreaks, threatening food security across affected regions, a recent study warns.
The research highlights how increased wind intensity and erratic rainfall patterns, attributed to human-induced climate change, create ideal breeding conditions for desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). This migratory pest, prevalent in arid regions of northern and eastern Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, travels in massive swarms that devastate crops and pasturelands.
A single square kilometer swarm can contain up to 80 million locusts, capable of consuming in one day an amount of crops sufficient to feed 35,000 people. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) labels the desert locust as “the most destructive migratory pest in the world.”
The study indicates that extreme weather, such as cyclones and heavy rains, provides the moist soil conditions necessary for locusts to breed rapidly. As climate change amplifies these weather patterns, the frequency and scale of locust invasions are expected to rise, posing significant challenges to agriculture-dependent communities.
“Our findings suggest that unless proactive measures are taken, climate change will exacerbate the risk of locust outbreaks, leading to more frequent and severe infestations,” the study’s lead author stated.
Recent locust swarms have had devastating impacts in regions like the Horn of Africa and South Asia, where millions rely on farming for their livelihoods. The 2019-2020 outbreaks were among the worst in decades, attributed partly to unusual weather patterns linked to climate change.
The study calls for enhanced surveillance, early warning systems, and sustainable pest management strategies to mitigate the future risk. International cooperation and investment are crucial to support affected countries in strengthening their resilience against this escalating threat.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
