Climate Change - The Times Of Central Asia

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Central Asia Endures Record-Breaking March Heatwave Attributed to Climate Change

Central Asia experienced an unprecedented heatwave in March 2025, with temperatures soaring to levels typically seen in late spring or summer. According to a new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), cities across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan recorded daytime highs near or above 30°C, far above the seasonal norm. In Kyrgyzstan's Jalalabad, the temperature peaked at 30.8°C, while Uzbekistan's Namangan and Fergana registered 29.4°C and 29.1°C, respectively. Kazakhstan’s Shahdara witnessed a nighttime low of 18.3°C, the hottest March night ever recorded in the country. Researchers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom examined the five hottest days and nights in March across the region. Their findings indicate that human-induced climate change made the heatwave approximately 4°C hotter and nearly three times more likely. They also noted that climate models tend to underestimate early-season heat, particularly in March. Economic and Agricultural Risks The timing of the heatwave posed serious challenges for agriculture. In Kazakhstan, the spike in temperatures coincided with the start of spring wheat planting, while in neighboring countries, fruit trees were already in bloom, raising concerns about yield losses. Agriculture remains a critical sector in the region, employing up to 50% of the workforce in some countries and contributing between 5% and 24% to GDP. The region also depends heavily on glacier-fed irrigation systems. Unseasonably warm weather can accelerate snowmelt, depleting water reserves needed during peak agricultural demand later in the season. In response to declining glacier volumes, seven artificial glaciers were built in southern Kyrgyzstan's Batken region in late autumn 2024 to support future water needs. A Warming Future The WWA study warns that without significant emissions reductions, such heatwaves will become increasingly frequent and intense. If global warming reaches 2.6°C, events like March 2025 could become far more common. Governments in Central Asia are beginning to take action. Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, for example, have integrated heat-related risks into their national climate adaptation plans. Still, experts urge a broader, more coordinated regional response, calling for the use of heat-tolerant crops, enhanced early warning systems, and climate-conscious urban planning.

Climate Change Climate Action Aral Culture Summit Desertification Aral Sea Amu Darya Karakalpakstan

Culture, Climate, and Clean Water: Summit Outlines New Efforts to Restore the Aral Sea Region

From April 4 to 6, the first Aral Culture Summit took place in Karakalpakstan, bringing together local and international scientists, artists, and activists. Their goal: to find creative ways to support the social and environmental recovery of the Aral Sea region. The summit is the first in a series of global cultural initiatives taking place throughout 2025 and supported by Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation. Scheduled to be held every 18 months, the summit is designed to act as a space for exchanging ideas and building new solutions. This year’s program included panels, cultural events, and a pop-up market featuring local artists and businesses. It focused on how art, design, and science can help Karakalpakstan grow in sustainable ways and attract new eco-friendly businesses. [caption id="attachment_30519" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Summit opening in Samarkand; image: ACDF[/caption] The first day of the summit was linked with the Samarkand International Climate Forum, which was attended by over 2,000 foreign guests, including top officials from the European Union, the United Nations, and Central Asian governments. They discussed urgent climate problems in the region, including desertification, water shortages, and rising temperatures. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about steps being taken to slow land degradation. “To reduce the area of degraded lands and mitigate the consequences of climate change, Uzbekistan has been carrying out large-scale greening in the framework of the Yashil Makon project. Additionally, over two million hectares of the deserted Aral Sea region is now covered with drought-resistant plants,” he said. Mirziyoyev also warned that water shortages will increase in the region by 2040 and stressed the need for stronger cooperation, telling those assembled, “We urge our partners to join the efforts and launch a Regional Program for Implementation of Water Saving Technologies in Central Asia.” Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also shared concerns about climate challenges, pointing out that the "temperature in the region is rising twice as fast as the global average.” Tokayev highlighted joint efforts with Uzbekistan to green the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. “Central Asia is profoundly affected by the global climate crisis,” Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) told those in attendance. “Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and intensified droughts are severely impacting agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods across our region. No example illustrates this better than the tragedy of the Aral Sea. But healing the land goes hand in hand with healing communities.” [caption id="attachment_30521" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Desert ship, Moynaq; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] A striking example of the shrinking of the Aral Sea is the forgotten hamlet of Moynaq. At its peak, the town was home to 60,000 people, mostly fishermen and their extended families, with the Aral Sea producing up to 30% of the Soviet catch and saving Russia from widespread famine in the 1920s. Accessible only by air and ferry well into the 1970s, Moynaq also served as a popular beach resort for well-heeled bureaucrats, its airport hosting fifty flights a day at its peak. By the...

New UNEP Atlas Highlights Kyrgyzstan’s Climate Vulnerability

Amid intensifying climate impacts, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its Atlas of Environmental Change for Kyrgyzstan on March 26, offering a comprehensive assessment of the country's growing environmental risks and response strategies. Warming at Twice the Global Rate According to the Atlas, average annual temperatures in Kyrgyzstan have increased by 1.2°C between 1960 and 2023, double the global average of 0.6°C. This accelerated warming has exacerbated water scarcity and the likelihood of natural disasters, a trend expected to intensify in the coming decades. While water availability declines, demand continues to rise, particularly in agriculture. The report stresses the urgent need for robust climate adaptation measures, including reducing irrigation losses, upgrading early warning systems, and improving pasture management. Currently, an estimated 70% of Kyrgyzstan’s pastures are degraded. Declining Water Resources Hydropower accounts for up to 93% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity generation. But as the climate shifts, rainfall patterns, snow cover, and glaciers are changing, threatening the water inflows that power these systems. Water flow into the Toktogul Reservoir, which feeds the country’s largest hydroelectric plant, could decrease by as much as 18.8% by 2050. This poses a serious threat not only to energy security but also to regional cooperation, as Kyrgyzstan lies upstream of many major Central Asian rivers. The report underscores the importance of transboundary water management. Disasters on the Rise Natural disasters are also becoming more frequent and severe. On average, Kyrgyzstan experiences around 200 emergencies per year, 90% of which are linked to natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, mudslides, rockfalls, and avalanches. In 2022 alone, nearly 150 lives were lost to natural disasters. Between 2012 and 2018, the average annual economic loss from such events reached $27 million. Conservation Achievements Despite the mounting risks, the Atlas also highlights Kyrgyzstan’s environmental progress. Forest cover has increased from 6.2% in 2000 to 6.9% in 2023, a significant feat given the country's mountainous terrain. Protected areas have expanded from 0.5 million hectares in 2000 to 1.5 million hectares, with plans to increase this to 10% of national territory by 2040, safeguarding up to 65% of species listed on the IUCN Red List. All forests in Kyrgyzstan are protected from commercial logging. Notably, the creation of the Khan Teniri Nature Park has expanded snow leopard habitat in the Central Tien Shan mountains by 40%. A Tool for Climate Policy The UNEP Atlas offers Kyrgyz policymakers a vital evidence base for sustainable environmental management and climate adaptation. It is designed to guide future strategies as the country faces mounting ecological and socio-economic pressures.

Climate Change Food Security Access to Clean Water Aral Sea Climate Emergency

Climate Change – A Catalyst for Poverty and Environmental Degradation in Central Asia

Climate change encapsulates the gradual yet profound shifts in temperature and weather patterns over extended periods. While these changes can arise naturally from various phenomena — such as fluctuations in solar energy or significant volcanic eruptions — the advent of the industrial age in the 1800s marked a pivotal point where human influence became the predominant force driving climate change. This influence stems chiefly from burning fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas. The combustion of these fuels releases vast quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, creating a thick layer that envelops the Earth and traps heat from the sun, resulting in a steady rise in global temperatures. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the most significant greenhouse gases contributing to this crisis. Carbon dioxide predominantly emerges from driving gasoline-powered vehicles and burning coal for heating. Additionally, the widespread practices of deforestation and land conversion continue to elevate carbon dioxide levels. Methane, meanwhile, is primarily produced through agricultural practices and the extraction processes associated with the oil and gas industries. The sectors that bear the heaviest burden in terms of greenhouse gas emissions include energy production, industrial processes, transportation, building operations, agriculture, and land use changes. The ramifications of this unfolding climate crisis are dire, especially for the world’s most vulnerable populations, particularly those residing in poverty. According to alarming insights from the World Bank, the 74 countries with the lowest income levels contribute a mere one-tenth of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, ironically, these nations are poised to endure the harshest repercussions of climate change. Over the past ten years, they have experienced an astounding surge in natural disasters, facing approximately eight times the frequency of such events compared to the 1980s. The effects on the lives of vulnerable populations are profound and far-reaching. Many face severe health challenges, including the prevalence of illnesses exacerbated by inadequate healthcare access. Erratic water supply creates a critical situation, often resulting in polluted drinking water that can lead to waterborne diseases. Additionally, the standard of education for these communities tends to be alarmingly poor, limiting future opportunities for young individuals. Many are forced to relocate as refugees, fleeing conflict and instability, which further complicates their lives. Moreover, those who find employment often encounter hazardous working conditions that put their safety and well-being at significant risk. Climate change presents profound security challenges for Central Asia, a region grappling with the dual threats of environmental shifts and social vulnerabilities. The interplay of climate change with existing fragility intensifies the risks to peace, stability, and security across the globe. This convergence will exacerbate human insecurity and escalate socio-economic and political instability. As a result of these changing climatic conditions, critical resources such as water, food, and energy face increasing threats. Countries already characterized by vulnerability — those grappling with conflict or instability — are among the most likely to experience detrimental effects. For instance, reports indicate severe drought conditions have led to a 30-40% decrease in agricultural production in some Central Asian...

Artificial Glaciers Created in Kyrgyzstan for Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change Adaptation

As the international community observed the first-ever World Day for Glaciers on March 21, a project led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has demonstrated how artificial glaciers can help rural communities in Kyrgyzstan adapt to the effects of climate change. As part of the FAO initiative, seven artificial glaciers were constructed in villages across the Batken region of southern Kyrgyzstan in late autumn 2024. Over the winter, these glaciers accumulated more than 1.5 million cubic meters of ice. As spring temperatures rise, the ice begins to melt, providing essential irrigation water for downstream agricultural lands. According to FAO experts, more than 1,750 hectares of land, equivalent to 2,451 football fields, can be irrigated using furrow irrigation. If modern systems are introduced, this could expand to as much as 15,000 hectares. These artificial glaciers are relatively simple structures designed to collect and freeze water in winter for agricultural use in summer, including for irrigation and livestock. On average, one glacier can support irrigation on 300 to 500 hectares. “The key is to choose the right location,” said Matraim Jusupov, FAO expert on water-saving technologies. “We channel water from a mountain spring through a pipeline ending in a vertical pipe 10-15 meters high. The elevation difference generates pressure, which allows us to spray water into the air. At sub-zero temperatures, it freezes and gradually forms an ice cone.” To build the glaciers, 6,956 meters of pipeline were laid. FAO supplied construction materials and technical guidance, while the work was carried out by local residents. The FAO office in Kyrgyzstan has since developed universal guidelines for building artificial glaciers and distributed them across the country. Based on this experience, new glacier construction is already underway in other regions. Global Glacier Melt According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), five of the past six years have seen the fastest glacier retreat ever recorded. The years 2022–2024 marked the largest three-year loss of glacier mass in history. Once regarded as “eternal ice,” many glaciers are now unlikely to survive the 21st century. There are more than 275,000 glaciers worldwide, covering approximately 700,000 square kilometers. Along with ice sheets, glaciers store about 70% of the planet’s freshwater. Their depletion threatens water supplies for hundreds of millions of people. In response to this growing crisis, the UN General Assembly declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and designated March 21 as the annual World Day for Glaciers. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the critical role glaciers play in the global climate and hydrological systems, and their significance to economic and ecological stability. UNESCO and WMO are leading the global coordination effort, supported by over 200 organizations and 35 countries. Kyrgyzstan’s Initiatives A Kyrgyz delegation led by Dinara Kemelova, the President’s Special Representative for the Five Years of Action for Mountain Regions Development, participated in World Day for Glaciers events at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on March 20-21. The meetings focused on...

Central Asia Climate Change Rivers

Biodiversity Experts Tell Banks to Halt Projects That Endanger Central Asia’s Rivers

On March 14, World Rivers Day of Action, international environmental organizations issued a stark warning about the future of Central Asia’s key rivers and lakes. A coalition, including Rivers without Boundaries, International Rivers, Friends of the Earth US, Urgewald, and CEE Bankwatch Network, called on major international development banks to reconsider their funding policies for hydropower projects. According to environmentalists, Central Asia already has more than 300 large dams, with over 200 additional projects either planned or under construction, many with financial backing from international banks. In a joint statement addressed to the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Eurasian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the groups expressed concern over the rapid expansion of dams in the region. They argue that these hydropower projects are fragmenting rivers, destroying natural habitats, and violating human rights. Despite UNESCO World Heritage protections and other conservation measures, environmentalists warn that increased international funding for both large and small hydropower projects could irreversibly damage Central Asia’s rivers. A newly published map by Rivers without Boundaries identifies the region’s most valuable and vulnerable freshwater ecosystems. If all planned projects are completed, nearly all of Central Asia’s river systems will be fragmented, including those that remained untouched during Soviet-era hydroengineering efforts. “Dams and reservoirs in Central Asia are often presented as necessary for water conservation and energy development,” said Evgeny Simonov, international coordinator of Rivers without Boundaries. “However, global experience shows that this approach is often economically inefficient and environmentally destructive.” Andrey Ralev, a biodiversity specialist at CEE Bankwatch Network, emphasized the severe impact of hydropower projects on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, which have already contributed to the Aral Sea crisis. “Their mountain tributaries still support unique biodiversity. Development banks should support their protection, not finance destructive hydropower projects,” he said. Katharina Lu, a senior manager at Friends of the Earth US, highlighted the growing impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on river ecosystems and local communities. “International development banks must stop blindly supporting hydropower and instead consider decentralized energy solutions with less environmental impact,” she said.