•Mali – Eighth largest country in Africa. Population – Approx. 14.5 million

•Mali is a large, landlocked country in Western Africa, two thirds of which is desert. 

•Main issues

   -Deforestation

   -Drought

   -Soil erosion

   -Desertification

Irregular rainfall and political instability have left communities in Mali without basic services such as a water supply and toilets, with serious health impacts.

One of the most important causes of Mali’s serious environmental problems has been over-exploitation and indiscriminate destruction of its forest resources. Deforestation can disrupt the natural system of recharge in groundwater causing water tables to fall.

•As land for crops and grazing shrinks due to climate change, tensions between communities are rising in northern Mali.

For generations, people have wandered the land with their cows and goats in search of water and grass for grazing.

•The Sahara desert is expanding southward at a rate of 48 kms a year, forcing whole communities to migrate and pushing them on to land occupied by other groups.

•Malians are already withdrawing more water than the renewable resources are able to replenish in normal cycles.

• If this continues to be ignored, water tables will continue to drop, the Niger will eventually dry up, and millions of Malians will be without work, water, and food.

•As it spreads, more people will be forced to leave their homes or villages which will more than likely make urban sprawl in many cities across Mali.

•Even neighbouring countries such as Algeria and Niger, are moving onto territory that mostly Tuareg community uses for grazing.

Climate change would worsen conflict in many of the world's poorest regions as different groups struggling to cope with poor rains and growing desertification take up arms to fight over scarce resources.

”Brookings Institute published a study showing that the frequency of cross-border violence grows by four percent, while inter group violence - the kind seen in Mali - rises 14 percent for each percentage change in average temperature and rainfall.”

•Rainfall has dropped by 30 percent since 1998 with droughts becoming longer and more frequent . Therefore Irregular rainfall and political instability have left communities in Mali without basic services such as a water supply and toilets, with serious health impacts.

•Over 4,500 children die before the age of five because of diarrhoeal deaths caused by poor water and sanitation.

•80% of the population rely on traditional agriculture or fisheries, both highly vulnerable to climate change.

•Access to basic education is difficult because people have to walk distances to get water.

• More people will be forced to leave their homes or villages which will more than likely make urban sprawl in many cities across Mali.

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•The frequency of cross border violence increases by every 4%, while inter-group violence - the kind seen in Mali - rises 14 percent for each percentage change in average temperature and rainfall.