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Fact Sheet 2012–3084

Famine Early Warning Systems Network—Informing Climate Change Adaptation Series

A Climate Trend Analysis of Burkina Faso

By Chris Funk, Jim Rowland, Gary Eilerts, Alkhalil Adoum, and Libby White

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (1.11 MB)Abstract

This brief report, drawing from a multi-year effort by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), examines recent trends in rainfall and air temperatures. These analyses are based on quality controlled station observations.

Conclusions:
• Summer rains have remained steady over the past 20 years, but remain 15 percent below the 1920–69 average.
• Temperatures have increased by 0.6° Celsius since 1975, amplifying the effect of droughts.
• The amount of farmland per person is low, and declining.
• Burkina Faso has offset rapid population growth with improved yields.
• Continued yield growth would maintain current levels of per capita food production.

First posted June 28, 2012

For additional information contact:
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
U.S. Geological Survey
47914 252nd Street
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57198
http://eros.usgs.gov/

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.


Suggested citation:

Funk, C., Rowland, J., Eilerts, G., Adoum, A. and White, L., 2012, A Climate Trend Analysis of Burkina Faso, U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2012–3084, 4 p.



Contents

Conclusions

Food Security Context

Rainfall Recovery Has Stalled

Much Warmer Air Temperatures

Divergent Climate Trends

Population Growth Has Been Matched by Agricultural Development

Some Implications For Food Security and Adaptation

Objectives and Methods

References


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