Introduce to students that the impact of humans and in turn the impact of climate change has had significant impacts on West Africa, affecting various aspects of the region’s environment, economy, and society. 

Specifically in the areas where Ghana, Mali and Songhai were developed the oases, Sahel, savannas, and deserts have seen change. 

Start by showing students photos of the ancient rock art at the site of Tassili N’Ajjer in Southern Algeria, in the middle of the Sahara desert. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/algeria-rock-art-prehistoric-sahara-petroglyphs Ask students 1) What do you see drawn on this ancient rock art? 2) Why do you think ancient people drew these? Students here will notice the giraffes and cows as well as evidence of thriving human life in what is now a desert. Ask students to share why they think this site is part of UNESCO’s world heritage sites: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/179/ Conclude this lesson opening by explaining to students that the Sahara was much greener and wetter between 14,000 years ago to around 6,000 years ago, when this region became drier. This caused people to move Northwards toward the Mediterranean, Southwards toward the Sahel, and Northeasterwards toward the Nile, and explains how major societies are anchored in these geographies.

Then, either break the whole class into groups of four or break students into groups of four and assign each student/group a land feature to research. The research should include how climate change has impacted that region.  

Allow students time to research independently and then share back out within their small group or the larger class. Typical responses may include:

• Oases: Oases are already fragile ecosystems dependent on limited water sources. Climate change exacerbates water scarcity in these areas due to changes in precipitation patterns and increased evaporation rates. This can lead to the depletion of groundwater reserves, reduced agricultural productivity, and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, rising temperatures may make oases more susceptible to heat stress and desertification, further threatening their viability as habitable areas.
• Sahel: The Sahel region is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its semi-arid climate and high dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Changes in precipitation patterns, including increased variability and frequency of droughts, can lead to food insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and displacement of populations. Desertification, exacerbated by overgrazing and deforestation, further degrades the region’s fragile ecosystems, exacerbating environmental degradation and poverty.
• Savannahs: Savannahs are characterized by a mix of grassland and scattered trees, making them susceptible to changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. Climate change can alter the distribution of plant species, disrupt ecological balance, and increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Loss of vegetation and soil degradation can reduce biodiversity, degrade ecosystem services, and threaten the livelihoods of communities dependent on savannah resources for grazing and agriculture.
• Deserts: Deserts are already harsh environments with limited water and vegetation. Climate change intensifies desertification through increased temperatures, reduced precipitation, and altered weather patterns. This can lead to the expansion of desert areas, loss of biodiversity, and degradation of soil quality. Desertification also threatens the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on desert ecosystems for grazing, agriculture, and water resources.

At the conclusion of presentations, have students consider and discuss as a whole group how the livelihoods of millions of people are dependent on these fragile ecosystems.