Effects of Environmental Malpractices in Intensifying Climate Change Impacts in Puntland, Somalia (Garowe, Qardho, and Galkacyo)

The communities of Puntland, Somalia, have long engaged in environmentally harmful practices, including overgrazing, deforestation, urbanization, and illegal wildlife hunting. These anthropogenic activities have exacerbated the region’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss. Despite the arid climatic conditions, the local populace was largely unaware of the negative environmental consequences of their actions. The protracted conflict in Somalia has also facilitated illegal trade, further endangering wildlife species. While previous studies have examined the relationship between human activities and climate change, there is a paucity of research exploring how specific practices like overgrazing, charcoal production, illegal hunting, and deforestation can intensify climate change impacts in Puntland’s dry regions. The mechanisms by which these localized human practices interact with and amplify broader climate change processes remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the effects of environmental malpractices in intensifying climate change impacts in Puntland. The research employed a qualitative approach using purposive sampling, incorporating in-depth stakeholder interviews and key informant interviews. 95% of key informant interviews mentioned environmental malpractices, including charcoal production, overgrazing, wood collection, drought, floods, desertification, illegal wildlife hunting, and weak law enforcement, as contributors to the region’s environmental challenges. The findings highlight the critical need for environmental education, community-level structural reforms, and sustainable rangeland management practices to address the pressing environmental challenges and mitigate the impacts of climate change in Puntland.