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Video: Is Drought In East Africa The New Normal?

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Earlier this month, we wrote about a report from the US Agency for International Development’s Famine and Early Warning Systems Network that warns the Horn of Africa may once again face food shortages because of a poorly performing rainy season.

In January, climate scientists Bradfield Lyon and David Dewitt from the International Research Institute for Climate and Society published a paper showing that since 1999, drought has become more frequent during the March-to-May rainy season in East Africa. What’s more, they connected this decrease in rainfall to sea-surface temperatures changes in the tropical Pacific Ocean, not the Indian Ocean, as other papers previously suggested.

Lyon explains the findings in this video interview:

Follow @climatesociety on Twitter or visit the IRI web site for the latest updates on East Africa and to learn more about our work and mission.

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Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

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