Factors related to or caused due to Climate Changes
There are many factors, that are related to climate change. The city of Jeddah has witnessed increased urbanization and growth in population, in the last three decades. This has resulted in more land coverage. Now Jeddah has transformed from a natural dessert type to an urban area. This has modified the geographic space and environment in many ways. To be specific, this has increased surface roughness due to the presence of buildings and urban structures which has increased downwind and increase in heat (Luong, et al. 2020).
Many studies have identified increase or decrease in rainfall is associated with climate change. The rainfall patterns of a region are based on global water evaporation and to a significant extent on factors like: altitude, latitude, and level of humidity in the region (Abdullah, et al. 2019). Additionally, flash floods are a significant threat to the city of Jeddah. Its frequency and intensity are directly linked to changing climate patterns. This not only endangers the lives of the people and property, but it also has socioeconomic impacts (Hussain Shah, et al. 2023). Similarly, Jeddah has been hit by earthquakes causing human, social, psychological, economic, health, and environmental effects (Daoudi, and Niang, 2019).
According to (Subyani, and Hajjar, 2016), most rainfall in Jeddah is very scarce and irregular. Additionally, its rainfall variability is extremely high and violent than in other regions. However, Jeddah experienced unexpected amounts of rainstorms of 80 and 124 mm/day in November 2009 and January 2011, respectively (Subyani, and Hajjar, 2016). The statistical rainfall trend in Jeddah from 1971 to 2012 is presented in Figure 3 (Appendix). Different research conducted in Jeddah has declared that rainfall in Jeddah is getting more intense in rainy months (October to April), while the dry months (May to September) are getting even drier from 1971 (Jaber et al. 2023). While, Jeddah has experienced different storms in different locations (Abdullah, et al. 2019), presented in Table 1 (Appendix). The yearly precipitation changes in Jeddah from 1979 to 2023 show that the city is getting drier, over time, (Meteoblue, 2024), as shown in Figure 4:
(Meteoblue, 2024).
Social Impact of Climate Change and Necessary Precautions Taken (Regional Consideration)
The social impact of climate change means how climate change impacts human societies, communities, and individuals. Jeddah is a coastal city, and its residents face many social implications, due to climate changes (Aljoufie, and Tiwari, 2015). Some of the key social impacts of climate change found in Jeddah are:
- Impact on population: The population is continuously increasing in Jeddah city, as shown in Table 2 (Appendix), where climate change is increasing more issues in these societies. The infrastructure and industries in Jeddah cause energy consumption and the CO2 emission level is also high, which has a direct impact on water, land, air, and the whole society (Aljoufie, and Tiwari, 2015). Although the government is adopting many natural and man-made solutions to control climate change and reduce its impact, like greenhouse gases (GHG), water purification systems, etc. (Aljoufie, and Tiwari, 2015). Still, Jeddah faces climate-related problems.
- Physical and Mental health: Jeddah is a vulnerable city, that has faced many flash flood hazards. Many studies have found that floods, storms, and rainfall affect the physical and mental health of the victims (Dano, 2020). The air quality, energy, and health of people of the urban city, like Jeddah are being affected by extreme climate conditions and heat waves (Maghrabi, et al. 2021). For which, green spaces (GSs), which are human-made natural solutions to support climate change have been adopted to reduce heat waves In Jeddah. These GSs have played an essential role in the mitigation of temperature issues, reduction in heat stress, and enhanced air quality. But still, Jeddah faced extreme weather conditions, impacting the social life and overall city environment (Maghrabi, et al. 2021).
- Increased diseases: A study in Jeddah confirms that there is a significant association between seasonal diseases (dengue and malaria) and temperature, rainfall, climate, and humidity. The moisture and hot temperature breed mosquitos that cause these diseases in the residents of Jeddah (Paz et al. 2021).
- Increased accidents: According to (Islam et al. 2019). Climate conditions including: increased rainfalls, fall or rise in temperature, and sandstorms have caused more road accidents in Saudi Arabia, specifically in Jeddah. Although Jeddah and Riyad have installed speed cameras to reduce accidents, still the issue is present.
- Impact on agriculture and food availability: Additionally, climate changes (temperature, wind, and precipitation patterns) have a direct impact on the region's agricultural productivity, leading to issues like: food shortages, risk of hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity (Kumar et al. 2018). Similarly, KSA and its cities, including Jeddah have experienced a substantial impact of climate change on the food supply and availability (Rahman et al. 2022).
- Water supply shortages: Different studies have predicted a decrease in overall precipitation for Jeddah, which is worsening existing water scarcity issues. According to (Al-Juaidi, 2020), Jeddah is found to face water supply shortages, due to expansion of urban development and other economic activities. Also, climate changes are directly related to water scarcity in a region. For example, hot climate and climatical changes impact the water resources of Jeddah (dams, canals, wells) (Almazrou et al. 2019). Similarly, severe weather conditions and climatical changes in Jeddah have caused water shortages in the region (Al-Juaidi, 2020).
- Refugee Movements: Severe weather conditions and high temperatures can cause sever health implications for the homeless and refugees, or people displaced, in floods or earthquakes are also refugees. These refugees face severe exposure to hot weather, lack of water and food resources, and disrupted life, due to climatical changes in the region (Al-Jawaldeh et al. 2022). Although, refugee camps provide clean water, vaccination programs, and food for refugees. Still, the region faces this problem due to high levels of earthquakes, floods, and storms in the region (Paz et al. 2021).
